Martin Allen leaves Barnet following relegation to National League
Thursday 10 May 2018 15:48, UK
Martin Allen has left his position as Barnet manager - in what was his fifth spell in charge at the club - following their relegation to the National League.
Barnet were relegated on the final day of the League Two season despite their 3-0 win against Chesterfield.
Goals from John Akinde, Richard Brindley and Alex Nicholls were not enough to retain their Football League status as Morecambe drew 0-0 with Coventry to take 22nd spot.
Allen over from Graham Westley in March. The Bees won 16 points from eight games under the 52-year-old.
"A short while ago I had a meeting with the chairman to let him know that I would not be continuing to manage his club and your club," Allen told the club website.
"It's been an amazing, unforgettable 8 weeks with all the players and the positive energy and the enthusiasm from all the supporters has been quite overwhelming and I can't thank you enough.
"The chairman has offered me a fantastic contract, offered to increase the budget and had done everything he could and no blame what so ever can be put his way.
"For me, it was 8 weeks and I am happy but of course underneath I'm bitterly disappointed and still very upset that we were unable to retain our position in the Football League.
"I really do hope Barnet Football Club can now grow with these players plus the addition of Elliot Johnson, Dave Tarpey and Mauro Vilhete and you can all be proud to be Barnet supporters."
Allen's first full manager's role was at Barnet from March 2003 to 2004 when he then left for Brentford with a few weeks of the season remaining.
He returned to the club in March 2011 where he worked on an eight-game contract but left after three games to take charge of Notts County.
In his third spell he was appointed as caretaker for the last three games of the 2011-12 season where they managed to avoid relegation from League Two. His contract ended at the close of the season.
He guided them back into League Two in his fourth spell during the 2016-17 season, but when Barnet were just outside the play-off spots, he asked to terminate his contract to join National League side Eastleigh.
