John Barnes did get a second chance as a manager in British football . What he didn ’ t get was a third . Having tried and failed at an elite club , Celtic — he left after the infamous loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle — Barnes managed Jamaica and then Tranmere Rovers . On October 9 , 2012 , when he was sacked after a run of two wins in 11 matches , Tranmere were 22nd in League One . John Barnes , at the Oxford Union , tried and failed at Celtic before spells at Jamaica and Tranmere Rovers . Barnes , pictured in charge of Celtic , left the club after their infamous loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle . Barnes believes black managers don ’ t get the second chances afforded their white counterparts , but where could he have gone from there ? Nothing in his record suggested he would thrive in the lower leagues , his experience at Celtic will have damaged his appeal to bigger clubs . Barnes was stymied by circumstances , not the colour of his skin . Jason McAteer , his assistant , has not worked since , either — and neither have three of the four managers subsequently employed and ditched by Rovers . Chris Hughton , formerly of Tottenham , Newcastle United , Birmingham , Norwich , and now boss at Brighton . The experience of Chris Hughton ( Tottenham Hotspur , Newcastle United , Birmingham City , Norwich City , Brighton and Hove Albion ) , Paul Ince ( Macclesfield Town , Milton Keynes Dons , Blackburn Rovers , Notts County , Blackpool ) or Keith Curle ( Mansfield Town , Chester City , Torquay United , Crystal Palace , Notts County , Carlisle United ) supports the theory of the managerial merry-go-round , but suggests that once a black coach is on board , his opportunity is no different from that of a white one . The problem is getting the elusive first job , not where to go if it doesn ’ t work out at Tranmere . We know what happens then , black or white .
Tranmere Rovers left Celtic after their loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle . He was later sacked by John Barnes after only two wins in 11 matches . But Barnes claims black managers do n't get second chances afforded their white counterparts ... but the problem is getting the elusive first job .