Harry Kewell: Barnet sack manager after seven winless games in charge

Harry Kewell was only in charge of the four clubs that he managed for one season.
After just seven games, Barnet has fired Harry Kewell, the manager of Barnet.

The 42-year old failed to win any matches as Bees manager. They have lost five games and drawn twice in this season's National League.

Barnet is second from the bottom of the table with Dover, who started the season on a 12-point deduction, being the only side below them.

Former Liverpool and Leeds player, he was previously in charge of Notts County and Oldham Town.

"It was evident how Harry Kewell wanted to make a positive difference, but ultimately the results have dictated our decisions," Dean Brennan, Barnet's head football coach, said in a statement.

"The intention for this season was that Barnet FC would challenge in the top half table, and that is still our goal."

Struggling Bees seek another manager

Paul Butler, Kewell's assistant, is also leaving the club. Brennan will temporarily take over the first team and become the sixth person in charge of Barnet in 2021.

Tim Flowers was the Bees' first year in charge, but he left the Bees in March. Gary Anderson and Paul Fairclough each had a spell as caretaker managers before Simon Bassey took over in April.

Barnet reached the play-offs having finished seventh in the Covid-19-affected 2019-20 seasons. However, Barnet struggled last season and came third from the bottom. This was only because the National League and the other leagues were null for the second season due the pandemic.

Kewell, who was a winner of the 2005 Champions League with Liverpool, and played at the 2006, and 2010 World Cups in Australia, stated that he would "put the club back on track and get moving in the right direction" when taking over in June.

However, a 5-0 defeat by Notts County on the opening day set the tone for a challenging season at The Hive. Draws away to Solihull Moors or at home to Eastleigh were the only positive points in a season where the Bees have scored seven goals and conceded 19, while only scoring once in their three home matches.

Kewell won 38 and lost 57 games in a managerial career that began at Crawley Town in 2017.

In his first full season as club manager, he led them to a 14th place finish in League Two. He then left for Notts County where he lasted only 14 games before the Magpies were relegated from League Two.

Kewell was back in management with Oldham Athletic at the beginning of last season, winning 17 out of 41 games until his resignation in March.