Barnes named new coach of Jamaica

By Jonathan Stevenson

Barnes has been keen to get back into management since leaving Celtic

Former England international John Barnes has been named as the new national coach of Jamaica.

The 44-year-old Jamaican-born former Liverpool winger has been chosen to replace Brazilian Rene Simoes, who was sacked as technical director last week.

"The Jamaica Football Federation announces the appointment of Mr Barnes and he will take up official duties on 1 November," said a statement.

Barnes' last post in management ended with the sack at Celtic in 2000.

The JFF statement continued: "Mr Barnes will be in charge of the preparation of the national team for the Digicel Caribbean Cup (DCC) between 1 and 15 December and the Concacaf Gold Cup scheduled for June 2009.

"He will also be in charge of the final round of World Cup Qualifiers in 2009, should Jamaica advance to this stage of the competition.

"Mr Barnes' contract will be reviewed following the aforementioned events."

Jamaica are currently last in their four-team World Cup qualifying group on one point from three games, with three games remaining.

To have a chance of advancing to the final stage of the Concacaf qualifying round, they must beat Mexico, Honduras and Canada and hope other results go their way.

Former Hull and Tranmere midfielder Theodore Whitmore will take charge of those World Cup games, staying on as Barnes' assistant thereafter.