Tony Cottee is to make his first move into management with the Third Division strugglers Barnet, writes Alan Nixon. The striker, who numbers West Ham, Everton and Leicester among his many former clubs, will be unveiled as the new player-manager at Underhill within the next 24 hours.

Tony Cottee is to make his first move into management with the Third Division strugglers Barnet, writes Alan Nixon. The striker, who numbers West Ham, Everton and Leicester among his many former clubs, will be unveiled as the new player-manager at Underhill within the next 24 hours.

It was known that Cottee had recently developed an interest in management. He applied for the vacancy at Leicester, but his willingness to drop down to Barnet shows he is genuine in his intentions to become a manager.

Cottee, who cancelled his contract with Norwich City yesterday ahead of the Barnet announcement, will continue to perform on the pitch, as well as overseeing team affairs.