John Barnes has been out of management for nearly 10 years, yet the former Celtic, Jamaica, and Tranmere Rovers boss could be on the cusp of making a remarkable return to the dugout.
Non-league Wrexham are on the hunt for a new gaffer after Sam Ricketts left the club for League One outfit Shrewsbury Town, just seven months into his three-year contract at the Dragons.
It’s fair to say that the majority of the Wrexham faithful weren’t best pleased at the sudden switch, and they may be in for a shock when they take a glance at the next Wrexham manager market, which shows John Barnes as the 7/4 favourite with Bet Victor - in from 25/1 - ahead of Dennis Lawrence, John Askey, and Jamie Fullarton.
Barnes, who as a player helped lead Liverpool to two English titles, FA Cup, and League Cup glory, ended his career at Charlton back in 1999, and in the same year surprisingly ventured into management with Scottish giants Celtic.
The eight-month spell was largely forgettable, except for a dismal defeat to Inverness in the Scottish Cup which produced one of the most astonishing football headlines of all time: "Super Caley go ballistic, Celtic are atrocious" - The Sun.
After an eight-year hiatus Barnes returned to the managerial arena in 2008 with Jamaica, and went on to win the Caribbean Championships. But come June of the following year he left his post with an 11 game unbeaten record in order to join Tranmere Rovers, where he would last only a dozen games.
It’s fair to say an appointment at Wrexham, 4th in the National League, would be a huge shock, although at least on the plus side the work Christmas party would be a blast…
