Former Gillingham manager Martin Allen has been appointed head coach at Skrill Premier club Barnet.

Allen, 48, was sacked by the Gills in October with the club lying 17th in League 1.

He succeeds Edgar Davids in the Barnet hotseat, the former Netherlands international having quit The Hive in January.

For Allen, who led Gillingham to the League 2 title last season, this will be a fourth spell in charge of the Bees.

Allen's contract runs until the end of next season.

He told Barnet's website: "I’m really looking forward to the challenge of helping Barnet return to the Football League.

"I only got the call this morning (Wednesday). It is nice to have the opportunity. I spoke to the chairman (Tony Kleanthous) earlier today but we have always had a very good relationship and we have always keep in touch.

"When Gillingham were promoted he was one of the first people to call and congratulate me and likewise when Barnet were relegated I was the first on the phone to him. It will be great to work with him again."

Barnet are just a point outside the Skrill Premier play-off places and Allen's first game in charge will be against Hereford on Saturday.