Rossi Eames: 'I Am Not The Man For Barnet'
Rossi Eames has stated he will not be the man to lead League Two side Barnet forward for next season, despite two successful caretaker spells, insisting he will return to his duty of Head Of Youth Development at The Hive.
Eames became the youngest manager in the EFL when he was appointed as manager until the end-of-the-season in April, after previously being in caretaker charge from December until the start of February. In sixteen games, the 32-year-old managed to record seven wins and the same total of losses - leading the Bees to a comfortable finish in 15th, eleven points above the relegation zone.
It was heavily expected that Eames would accept the offer handed to him by his employers to take the managerial role on a permanent basis, however he has insisted that he is 'Not the right man for the job,' despite that impressive record.
'I am not the right man to lead this football club forward next season. I thoroughly enjoyed my stints as caretaker boss, but for me, my job is to help the young players develop at the club. I am very confident that Anthony (Kleanthous) will ensure that whoever is to be the next permanent manager will be one that will help improve on a decent finish last season and help us move in the right direction.'
'There's been a lot of change over the last few years,' Rossi said, 'So it's vital we're able to find a replacement that will be a replacement for the future and has that consistency. Whoever that man be, I'm looking forward to the future and working with them.'
Since Lawrie Sanches left the club in 2011, Barnet have seen a total of ten managerial changes, in which include Edgar Davids, Martin Allen, Kevin Nugent and Mark Robson. The favourite for the job is Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard, after the 31-year-old helped the semi-professional side finish 11th in the National League last campaign.
Garrard is the youngest manager in the top five divisions of English Football, as he is four months and five days younger than Eames and has been with Boreham Wood since October 2015, after replacing Ian Allinson at Meadow Park.