BIRKENHEAD, England, (CMC) – Jamaica-born Liverpool legend John Barnes was fired Friday as manager of the English League One side Tranmere Rovers.

Tranmere sacked Barnes and assistant Jason McAteer after a run of just two league wins from 11 matches.

“Unfortunately results have not gone our way this season and we are at the wrong end of the table,” club chairman Peter Johnson said yesterday.

Physio Les Parry has been placed in temporary charge and will be assisted by reserve boss Shaun Garnett.

Former England midfielder Barnes previously had an unsuccessful spell as manager of Celtic and left his job as Jamaica’s head coach this past summer to take up the manager’s role at Tranmere, with his ex-Liverpool team mate Jason McAteer joining as his assistant.

Tranmere are 22nd in League One and have conceded a division-high 26 goals.

Barnes endured more pressure this week when Tranmere were ousted from the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy by League Two side Bury on Tuesday night.

The 45-year-old Barnes, who steered Jamaica to the Digicel Caribbean Cup title last December, had only recently played down Tranmere’s perilous standing in the table.

“You go through the ups and downs in football and unfortunately for me and Tranmere we’re in a down period, but I’m sure we’ll get out of it,” he said.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Barnes had also insisted he had no intention of quitting the management game.
“Not at all. None at all,” Barnes said.