JOHN Barnes is chomping at the bit as he prepares to end his eight-year exile from management by taking up his post as coach of the Jamaica national team later this week.
Former England international Barnes, who was born in Kingston, was named as the new Jamaica boss 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 Celtic in 1999-2000, and the ex-Liverpool and Watford winger admits he cannot wait to sink his teeth back into the role.
"I'm looking forward to it," he told PA Sport.
"I've been wanting to get back into management, I've not been out by choice. It's just the opportunity hasn't presented itself, and now it has I can't wait to get started and I'm really looking forward to it."
Barnes, who has been handed an initial 12-month contract by the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF), takes over a Reggae Boyz side who are currently in third spot out of four in Group Two in the penultimate round of qualifying in the CONCACAF region.
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 have given them renewed hope.
They now have seven points, two behind Honduras and three behind leaders Mexico, with all to play for in their final qualifying game against rock-bottom Canada in Kingston on November 19.
Barnes has already been doing his homework on his new team and attended the matches against Honduras and Mexico, whilst meeting the players and going to training.
He admits he would relish the chance to manage a big club in Europe again, but for now he is focusing all his efforts on the Canada game.
"I want to win football matches. Sometimes you can look too far down the line," the 44-year-old said.
"Ultimately, yes, it would be great to manage England and Liverpool and Real Madrid, but I'm only focusing on beating Canada, which is the next game, and then after that whichever game comes up next, we will have to try and win that one.
"Every match we play I hope for us to be competitive and consistent with good performances and get victories.
"There is no long-term aim, we just have to win every match we play."
This will be Barnes' first job in management since an ill-fated spell in charge of Celtic in 1999-2000, and the ex-Liverpool and Watford winger admits he cannot wait to sink his teeth back into the role.
"I'm looking forward to it," he told PA Sport.
"I've been wanting to get back into management, I've not been out by choice. It's just the opportunity hasn't presented itself, and now it has I can't wait to get started and I'm really looking forward to it."
Barnes, who has been handed an initial 12-month contract by the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF), takes over a Reggae Boyz side who are currently in third spot out of four in Group Two in the penultimate round of qualifying in the CONCACAF region.
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 have given them renewed hope.
They now have seven points, two behind Honduras and three behind leaders Mexico, with all to play for in their final qualifying game against rock-bottom Canada in Kingston on November 19.
Barnes has already been doing his homework on his new team and attended the matches against Honduras and Mexico, whilst meeting the players and going to training.
He admits he would relish the chance to manage a big club in Europe again, but for now he is focusing all his efforts on the Canada game.
"I want to win football matches. Sometimes you can look too far down the line," the 44-year-old said.
"Ultimately, yes, it would be great to manage England and Liverpool and Real Madrid, but I'm only focusing on beating Canada, which is the next game, and then after that whichever game comes up next, we will have to try and win that one.
"Every match we play I hope for us to be competitive and consistent with good performances and get victories.
"There is no long-term aim, we just have to win every match we play."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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