Former Republic of Ireland World Cup defender Gary Breen has signed a new deal with Barnet as assistant manager and player.

Manager Ian Hendon said: "He looked different class as a player when he came in last season. I am looking forward to working more closely with him".

The 6ft 1ins tall Breen, who signed for the Bees on his 35th birthday, came to the club saying that he planned to start learning a new career as a coach at Underhill ... he has been working towards his coaching badges for the past two years.

"Assistant manager is another step in the direction of my ultimate aim to manager a club", he said.

Breen's immaculate role as a player last season - he played 22 games - was pivotal to the Bees' revival under Hendon in the second half of last season.

"I enjoyed my time at the club", he said, "Even though relegation was a real chance for a while. I enjoyed the challenge and Ismail Yakubu, Joe Devera showed their real potential as the season went on, as did Kenny Gillet when he got back into the side.

"I'm looking forward to the assistant manager side of my role as well as the coaching", he said. "Being assistant manager is my priority but I will play on as long as it benefits the team".

Breen's fitness has stood out in pre-season training and Hendon has cited him as an example to some of the younger players.

The evergreen Breen - if you will pardon the pun - won 64 caps for his country. He played more than 500 League games for, among others, Coventry City, Sunderland, Peterborough United and West Ham United - his last club before joining Barnet was Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Breen joins new first team coach Lee Harrison and physiotherapist Mark Stein as Hendon's experienced back room team.

Dennis Signy