John Barnes returns to take up job

Former England international John Barnes arrived in the country earlier this afternoon to take up his post as coach of the Jamaica national football team.



Barnes, who was born in Jamaica, was named as the new Reggae Boys’ coach in September following the sacking of Brazilian Rene Simoes. But he does not officially fill the position until November 1.



This will be Barnes’ first job in management since an ill-fated spell in charge of Celtics between 1999 and 2000.



Barnes, who has been handed an initial 12-month contract by the Jamaica Football Federation, takes over a Reggae Boys’ side, which is currently in third spot in the penultimate round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.



Jamaica picked up just one point from their opening three matches to leave their qualifying hopes in serious trouble.



But successive home victories over Mexico and Honduras, under the guidance of interim-coach Theodore Whitmore, have given them renewed hope.