What an idiot
Martin Allen has stunned Barnet after leaving for a job he said he could not refuse with Notts County - just three games after agreeing a contract until the end of the season.
The 37-year-old Allen, who led the Bees to seven points out of nine in his 19 days in charge, telephoned chairman Tony Kleanthous at 11.30 p.m. last night to tell him of his opportunity to join League 1 County. The pair met at midnight and talked until 3.30 a.m., with the chairman trying to persuade Allen to stay.
They met again this morning - "his mind was made up", said the chairman--and Allen spoke to the players before leaving. The chairman, too, spoke to players and coaching staff and it was agreed that no-one wanted more change.
Giuliano Grazioli,who gave up his job as Barnet's development officer to become Allen's assistant, was confirmed as caretaker manager, with help from Anwar Uddin as his assistant and the rest of the backroom staff, who are all committed to finishing the job at hand, namely Barnet FCs League 2 survival.
The chairman, who did all he could to persuade Allen to stay, refused to criticise him. He said: "Martin felt that he could keep Notts County in League 1 and that would then offer him the opportunity to challenge for Championship football next season. This is something I obviously could not match but I am disappointed by Notts County's behaviour in this regard, which is in contravention of football regulations, and we will seek advice as how to best deal with that."
