Joey Barton leaves role as manager of Fleetwood following Ched Evans sacking

Joey Barton leaves his role as manager of Fleetwood Town following the sacking of Ched Evans in December 2020, it’s confirmed.

The 38-year-old was initially appointed in April 2018 and led the Cod Army to last season’s League One playoffs.

Barton departs Fleetwood with the club in 10th position in the League One table, just three points off the play-off places.

Club statement: Joey Barton

— Fleetwood Town FC (@ftfc) January 4, 2021

FLEETWOOD STATEMENT

Fleetwood Town can confirm manager Joey Barton has left the club with immediate effect.

We would like to thank Joey for his work during his time at Highbury Stadium and wish him success in the future.

The former Manchester City, Newcastle United and Burnley midfielder joined Fleetwood in his first managerial role in June of 2018, a day after an 18-month ban for betting ended.

His first season at the club was marked by controversy after an alleged clash with former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel following a League One match at Oakwell.

Stendel, who won promotion with the Tykes that campaign, was said to be left with a damaged tooth following the incident which occurred following Barnsley’s 4-2 victory in April 2019. Some fans now suspect this played a part in his departure in January 2021.

Joey Barton nearly got away with it aswell. I would’ve rather seen him involved in a dramatic police chase to be honest. pic.twitter.com/nPeB3v1S74

— . (@G4FFER__) April 13, 2019

Barton, whose playing career also included an England cap against Spain in 2007, was due to stand trial last summer having earlier pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but the case was put back to June 2021 because of coronavirus and interruption to the 2019-20 football season.

Fleetwood’s match against Ipswich, which had been scheduled for later on Monday, as well as their trip to Sunderland on Saturday had been called off due to “several” positive coronavirus cases at the club.

Prior to the postponements, Barton had overseen a four-game unbeaten run with the club.

Ched Evans’ comedy act at Fleetwood Town was the final straw for unamused boss Joey Barton according to reports.

The Professional Footballers’ Association are said to be looking into the situation with the Welshman and his soon to be former club.

Dressing-room sources says that the manager failed to see the funny side of a comedy routine performed by Evans, seeing him deliver part of a regular Friday routine.

Barton is said to have already called out a number of players in training for wearing tights and gloves to protect themselves from the cold.

So in turn, Evans used that in his slot on a punishment game called The Spin (Wheel of Fortune-style) for minor offences, which saw him land on a ‘magic trick’, so he produced pictures of Barton and his coaching staff mocked up as ‘muscle-bound super heroes’ – and then had photos of each of them wearing gloves in training sessions during their own careers.

Head coach Barton cited that it was disciplinary issues and a series of “infractions” as well as his behaviour that ultimately forced his decision.

Fans reacted as Joey Barton leaves his role as manager of Fleetwood following the Ched Evans sacking…

@AdmiralsCourt: Such a nice guy as well, probably left to concentrate on his charity work

@billyftfc: Can’t wait for this episode of the documentary

@FrancoVolpe15: Cant be anything to do with results ? This is a discipline or legal matter.

@rpatz9: Going to Newcastle to replace Steve Bruce who is taking over at Chelsea..

@smith300199: Suspect this will have been off the field issues rather than anything on it… which was always going to be the case with Barton. Did better than most expected and I do wish him well but I’d be really glad to get a manager who won’t attract much attention off the field

@charliestez: I mean I would’ve expected it if it was after a poor result but this is a shock

@EmenaIo: He’s taking the Chelsea job lads.

@JPraed19: I know, I’m fuckin thrilled, the amount of players he fell out with, it created such a toxic club. So many good, young players have gone because of him

@1984_mjb: Does that mean Ched Evans is staying?

@PooleCarl69: Who’s he punched now

@milburn60: Court appearance shortly?!

@ciaran05321096: Payback for Stendel

@baconkcaj: It’s a shame to see Barton go but AP will have had his reasons. Quite enjoyed Barton as manager but maybe he’s just a bit too Joey to survive for too long in the world of management #ftfc

@15jgilmore: Good, now leave him out of football forever. Should never have got a job in the first place, nothing but a criminal

@TavernFootball: Interesting. With immediate effect. Not the really the usual old mutual consent line is it?

@ray_gritt: I know recent results haven’t been brilliant, but I wasn’t expecting that if I’m honest.

@TheSirRobotto: 10th in the League. Joey Barton must have smacked someone, again

@drewski1980: 14th century philosopher quotes incoming? He Headbutted someone and will get done. #Thug

@baldy984: HAHAHAHA Looks like the “I’d rather play like us and lose than play like them and win” philosophy doesn’t work after all

@awayonsaturday1: No shock. No surprise. The ‘lost the dressing room’ phrase is massively over-used in football, but trying to force out a popular figure on the back of some banter which he couldn’t handle, definitely isn’t going to get the lads on your side.

@Ezzmundo: I’m abit gutted because if this idiot stayed in charge the cods were fucked. Still lets all laugh at Joey the tit

@seanmcsport: Would be the ideal job for Stephen Robinson after his spell ended at Motherwell. Short club statement suggests Barton’s departure wasn’t results-based.

@ToonMouthTyne: I’d genuinely take him at #NUFC.

@chaddy_9611: Did not see this coming at all! Something seriously not right at that club after Ched Evans business and now this…..always got the impression it’s never been a happy camp under Joey Barton….

@SkipFC: As a lifelong Fleetwood Town season ticket holder and a decorated and respected lieutenant in the Cod Army, I believe the only option is to appoint Glenn Whelan player-manager immediately

@Enrohd_1992: 36 word statement wow…..

@PompeyViking62: There’s actually a very good team there, and the style of football they’d deployed under Barton was far beneath their abilities. A new manager with a positive approach could play some real ball there.