Bristol Rovers confirm the sacking of manager Joey Barton, coming days after his side played out a 1-1 draw against Stevenage.
The decision comes following a run of disappointing results, their latest leaving them sitting 16th in League One.
They have only won one of their last five matches and picked up four league wins all season, leaving them with now choice but to axe the 41-year-old former Man City, Newcastle and England midfielder, who had led the club to promotion on the final day of his first full season in charge.
Club Statement: Joey Barton
— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) October 26, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT:
Bristol Rovers Football Club can confirm that today the club has relieved First Team Manager Joey Barton of his duties.
Everyone at the club would like to thank Joey for all his efforts and wish him well in the future.
In the interim, Andy Mangan will lead the team supported by Glenn Whelan, Danny Ventre and Anssi Jaakkola who will remain in post.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
Barton said in his post-match interview, as per Bristol World: “It was a great finish from Chris Martin, but I thought our performance in the second-half warranted that.
“I think we were unfortunate not to win the game.”
While his side dominated possession, they could only register just two shots on target in the game.
“I thought we were guilty of maybe not capitalising on some good moments in the first-half.
“It was a big moment because we got a little bit nervy after that, but I thought when we made the changes at half-time, I felt it really lifted the performance.
“I thought Harvey Vale was superb in the second-half and also George Friend. I thought the change at half-time certainly gave us a bit of an impetus.
“We were pushing for the whole of the second-half, it would have been a travesty had they managed to see that out. But thankfully we’ve got an equaliser and if you can’t win them, don’t lose them.”
🗣️ Joey Barton assesses a frustrating night against Stevenage at The Mem. pic.twitter.com/Z6EcNPZHWW
— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) October 24, 2023
Twitter users reacted as Bristol Rovers confirm the sacking of manager Joey Barton with an interim boss named…
@LiamGreen___: This man’s Twitter later will be superb.
@darrell_ben: New owners have grown some bullocks. Fair play, we actually have some ambition. Gotta get right behind whoever comes in now. UTG
@stevepeles11: Very disappointing, injuries galore and could see how good we were earlier in the season with key players fit, 🤔
@eadesryann: Admire him for getting us to try and play football but when that comes at the expense of results it was only a matter of time. Hope we have someone lined up
@BarnesymMartin: Shocking, absolutely shocking, would’ve given him till Christmas at least wrong decision. In my opinion, but that’s my view
@secondofmay1990: Not a great run of results this calendar year, but remember that it was all very different the previous calendar year. Results are key, and sadly Joey, it’s the right decision. Thanks for some quality memories and best wishes for the future
@TomHayne16: I’m a little surprised but our form overall for the calendar year has been terrible so it’s not too much of a shock hopefully we can pick the right manager to take us forward and not backwards.
@calcology: The club have major ambition now and results see us in relegation form on PPG. Any talk of a flagship signing is currently out of the window because the season could well be dead by December, and the club know that. I really hope we see an experienced manager come in to guide us.
@SpeckledHens: Home form has been dire since last Christmas, change needed. Can we take our time to get the right person in this time….
@ciaronWest2: Big decision the owners need to get the new appointment right or this will be a bad decision
@joegilbert1605: Hate this club man
@markhol1982: I think that’s a joke. The fans still behind him and we had lots of injuries. More importantly do u think players like Elliott Anderson would come to us if it wasn’t for the pull of joey. Big backwards set this
@_BRFCDan__: Thank you for the memories Joey, namely the 7-0, but needed to happen, not good enough compared to how much he has been backed 👍
@lukeoufcbodily: Hahahaha he’s only been sacked, that’s cheered me right up, fuck off joey Barton 😂😂😂
@thatchersend: Joey Barton sacked by Bristol Rovers by the sounds of it. I pray to god whoever we bring in next is someone we can all get behind so we don’t have the split fanbase that we have had for the last 4years.
@GasBurnerUTG: Mangan is less marmite and I feel the reaction on the pitch will be strong. But will he find the quick success that will make it hard not to offer him the role more permanent? We can only wish AM the greatest success. #BristolRovers #BRFC #Gasburner #UTG
@willbrfcvlogs: Wasnt expecting this, we havent been great but it’s not like we’re battling relegation and I thought the owners were backing him. Having said that, we need to be better and I respect the owners for being bold and showing some ambition by making this decision now. Whole fanbase must back the next gaffer and also Mangan while hes caretaker, 3 points still crucial on Saturday. Credit must go to @Joey7Barton for taking us straight back up and bringing stability back to the club in his time here. Thank you and best of luck in the future #UTG
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