As Portsmouth bring down the curtain on Tony Adams's latest managerial attempt, we take a look at some other former players who have struggled to be the boss.

John Barnes

The former Liverpool and England winger was known for his silky sidestepping skills on the pitch and duly employed those talents to craftily avoid any sort of 'lower league teeth-cutting' in the management game.

Barnes went straight in the deep end, taking his first steps into management with Scottish giants Celtic.

However, his reputation as a once-great player and vocalist (Anfield Rap) was somewhat tarnished with a disastrous spell in the 1999/2000 season.

His period at the helm is probably best remembered for Celtic's 3-1 cup upset at the hands of then-minnows Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Barnes was sacked shortly after and the managerial lark proved so harrowing he sought solace on the dancefloor in Strictly Come Dancing in 2007.

Dabbled in presenting on Channel Five before Jamaica gave him another chance to prove his mettle last November.

Paul Gascoigne

Gazza's ill-fated reign at Kettering in 2005 lasted just 39 days before he was sacked after the club's owner questioned his conduct.

Could have brought a lot to the game but there is now probably more chance of Arsene Wenger admitting he saw a refereeing decision than there is of any chairman appointing Gascoigne as boss again.

Carlton Palmer

Once a rangy, tough-tackling midfielder with Sheffield Wednesday and England, Palmer was something of an outspoken character during his brief sojourn into management.

His first job was at Stockport County in 2001. However, two years later dismal results saw him dismissed.

In 2004, Palmer tried again with Mansfield before stepping down citing 'abuse from the crowd' just a year into the job.

Chris Waddle

Endured rather than enjoyed a brief spell in charge of Burnley in 1997.

His employers probably felt his playing experiences in France with Marseille meant he had contacts with the future Thierry Henrys of the game.

Alas there proved an absence of Gallic flair and Waddle was quickly on his way after a poor season which saw Burnley narrowly avoid relegation.

Peter Shilton

England's most-capped international and a legend between the sticks, 'Shilts' sadly couldn't 'save' Plymouth Argyle from relegation during his spell in the early 90s.

His unsuccessful attempt at management ended two years later when he resigned with his club relegation-threatened once more.