John Barnes

Newly appointed national coach John Barnes has dismissed rumours linking him with a move to former English league club Watford as "just paper talk".

"I don't comment on speculation. Watford have not spoken to me, nor have I spoken to them. The fact of the matter is that I have a job and that is the end of the story really," Barnes said in a release from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

"The obvious link, though, is that I am a former Watford player, as is Luther Blissett. Watford have just lost their manager so people are speculating about former Watford players. It is just paper talk," added the man who distinguished himself at Watford before making his then big-money move to Liverpool in 1987.

Manager's job

Reports from sections of the English press had suggested that Barnes is being considered for the manager's job, along with another former Watford legend, 50-year-old Luther Blissett, following the sacking of Aidy Boothroyd recently. Both players formed a productive goalscoring partnership for Watford in the 1980s.

Barnes was revealed to be the new man in charge of Jamaica's Reggae Boyz following the sacking of Brazilian technical director Rene Simoes in mid-September. However, due to prior commitments, Barnes was unable to begin active duties until November 1. The agreement with the JFF will see Barnes under contract for one year, with an option for renewal.

The coach is currently away on assignment with a mainly local-based national squad on a one-week training session in Grand Cayman. The team easily defeated a Cayman All-Stars team 6-1 at the Truman Bodden Stadium on Wednesday night.

A double from midfielder Ricardo Cousins (22nd and 63rd) and single strikes from fellow midfielder Jermaine Hue (9th), forwards Jermaine Anderson (11th) and Marcelino Blackburn (78th), as well as defender Desmond Breakenridge (75th), gave the Reggae Boyz a massive win.

Deosar Gonzalez scored for the Cayman All-Stars.