John Barnes has admitted that nine years after failing at Celtic he still can't get back into management.

England and Liverpool legend John Barnes was once tipped to become a great gaffer. However, the Jamaican-born former midfield maestro admits that his disasterous stint in the Celtic hotseat out paid to his managerial aspirations.

The 1999 appointment looked good on the surface. Barnes was appointed head coach, working under an experienced director of football in Scottish hall-of-famer Kenny Dalgliesh.

However, the Barnes regime never took off and shortly after tumbling out of the Scottish Cup at the hands of then-obscure Inverness Caley Thistle, he was shown the door.

In the near-decade since then Barnes has carved out a career has a pundit whilst also doing charity work. However, although still only 44-years-old, the 79-times-capped Engand star admits that his name is mud in managerial circles.

He revealed: "I've applied for jobs and have had Graham Taylor and Terry Venables speak on my behalf but I haven't had any response.

"People can't say because it didn't work out at Celtic it wouldn't in the Second Division, where there is a much lower expectancy level."
Barnes still has ties with the Premier League as he works as a sometime Carribean scout on behalf of Sunderland.

By Liam Black, Goal.com