Barnet FC are pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Whitbread as First Team Coach, who has joined Martin Allen’s coaching staff ahead of the 2015-16 campaign.
Whitbread, 43, played with Martin at West Ham and Portsmouth during a career that also saw him play for Leyton Orient, Swindon Town and Reading – where he played under Martin whilst he was working as a coach.
Adrian is no stranger to Barnet having acted as Martin’s assistant back in 2003/04 before following him to Brentford, MK Dons and Leicester City.
His recent career has seen him work all around the world, both in the Caribbean coaching Puerto Rico Islanders and Antigua Barracuda FC as well as a spell most recently working for the Bahrain FA.
Commenting on his appointment, Whitbread says that it is fantastic to have joined the Bees and that he is looking forward to working alongside his old partner once more:
“It is fantastic – I’ve had a bit of time being away and getting on with my own coaching career in different parts of the world but I have always kept in contact with Martin and now we are being reacquainted after seven or eight years apart.
“Sitting here today when you look out onto the pitch and the stadium and see the facilities that are here it is clear that this is a club geared up for the Football League. He had a fantastic season last season in getting the club promoted as champions and with the standard of players that he is looking to get it is very exciting times both on and off the field.
“I’ve gained an invaluable knowledge in lots of ways – the experience of coaching foreign players, seeing the different cultures and knowing how to manage people better. It has given me a whole wealth of knowledge but I think that the most important thing is that I found out a lot more about myself.”
Meanwhile, Martin Allen believes that Adrian’s time abroad will prove an invaluable influence with Barnet moving forward:
“Adrian Whitbread will be joining us on July 1st as First Team Coach on a one-year contract.
“I feel the need to improve on and off the field in everything that we do and Adrian has worked abroad in coaching and developed new skills in learning languages and learning all about the other side of management – as an assistant, as a manager and as a coach.
“He is now far more rounded and he will be a big asset helping us going forward.”
Leaving The Hive however are two members of Martin’s backroom staff least season in Analyst Omar Yabroudi and Physiotherapist Jayde Cook, with Martin providing the following update as he wished the pair all the best for the future:
“Omar has agreed to join Nottingham Forest as their Analyst which is a fantastic move for Omar. I am delighted for him that he has got this opportunity to go and work at Championship level even though I did my utmost to persuade him to stay, especially as we are a better team than them.
“Omar has done a great job helping me, looking after me and supporting me and for sure I will miss him, but how can I deny people the chance to work at a higher level? So best wishes to Omar.
“Jayde has decided to go into private practice and continue to further her education which she wasn’t able to do whilst working here full-time, so she will be combining her new job with her learning and education.
“Once again – even though I am very disappointed that she is leaving because she has been a brilliant first team physio, a great person and a good friend of mine – how can I ever stop anybody from going on to educate themself further and develop further skills for their profession and long-term career?
“We all wish Jayde the very best of luck in her future and no doubt as a Champion she will always be a friend of Barnet FC.”
