Barnet appear to appoint Simon Bassey as new boss

Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous says the club have brought in former AFC Wimbledon coach and caretaker manager Simon Bassey.

The news was shared on the club's website as part of responses to 'the most frequently asked questions and topics' to the Bees chairman.

The National League side have been seeking a successor to Tim Flowers following the former England goalkeeper's departure almost a month ago.

Kleanthous confirmed Bassey's appointment as part of his fifth response to the questions, adding that he will be assisted by former AFC Wimbledon boss and 2019 FA Vase winner with Chertsey Town, Dave Anderson. It is unclear, though, whether Bassey is a permanent or interim boss.

Kleanthous said: "I have decided to rebuild the whole backroom team, which is why the process is taking a while longer than usual. We don’t want to hire a manager bringing his own staff, because if they do well, then they will all leave together for a bigger club, or if they do badly, they will all leave together because they did badly. Either way, the club is left with no succession or stability.

"I therefore want to take my time and find a team of people who can be part of the longer-term vision for Barnet FC, where we are not always having to start from scratch. This means I need the right people to join Gary Anderson, our head of performance, Ollie Galloway, our physio, and Ricky Bartlett, who is joining us in July to handle football operations and logistics.

"In this respect, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Simon Bassey, who was formerly at Wimbledon, has agreed to join us, and I am delighted to welcome him to the team. Simon will be coaching the first team going forwards.

"He was with the Dons for 17 years, achieving seven promotions, and I would like him to bring the same stability and success to us here at The Hive. He is joined by Dave Anderson, who has enjoyed his own successful career as a goalkeeper with Northern Ireland and in non-league football management, and will be Simon’s assistant and goalkeeping coach."