Gary Waddock has returned to Barnet for a second spell as assistant to Martin Allen, replacing the recently departed Adrian Whitbread, just eight months after leaving the Bees to become number two at Portsmouth.

The former Queens Park Rangers and Aldershot Town boss had been coaching at The Hive on an ad-hoc basis last season before he agreed a month-to-month contract in November.

However, in December the 53-year-old former Republic of Ireland cap left to join League Two side Portsmouth as Andy Awford’s assistant.

When Awford was sacked, Waddock stepped up to become temporary boss at Fratton Park for the final four games of last season.

But following the appointment of Paul Cook at Pompey, the former Conference title-winner was let go by the South Coast club.

In the mean time, Allen appointed Whitbread, whom he had worked with previously at Barnet, Brentford, Leicester City and MK Dons, as his deputy.

But Whitbread left on Tuesday for a head coach position in America and Waddock was seen at The Hive.

Speaking after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Bristol Rovers, Allen confirmed the appointment of Waddock to his staff once more.

“Gary joined yesterday (Friday) morning,” stated Allen. “Adrian Whitbread has gone to be manager of Puerto Rico so Gary joined on Friday.”

Waddock won the Conference title with a record 101 points at Aldershot in 2008 and later guided Wycombe Wanderers into League One by finishing third in League Two.