Joey Barton has been sacked as manager of Bristol Rovers, with the team on a run of one victory in five League One matches. “Bristol Rovers can confirm that the club has relieved first-team manager Joey Barton of his duties,” a club statement said. “Everyone at the club would like to thank Joey for all his efforts and wish him well in the future.”
In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Barton wrote: “What a journey we have been on as a club … we created some amazing memories, achieving promotion and that 7-0 victory are days my family and I will never forget.”
“To the fans, thanks for your patience with me, I did not always get every decision right but I made them all with the best intentions” the 41-year-old added. “Most importantly, this club is now in an amazing position to move forward, and in a much stronger position than when I arrived.”
Barton took over at the Memorial Stadium in February 2021 but could not keep the team in the third tier as Rovers were relegated. Barton then led a dramatic promotion push, with a return to League One secured on goals scored after a 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United on the final day of the 2021-22 season.
The former Manchester City player, whose only other managerial role was with Fleetwood, signed a new three-year deal with Rovers in July 2022. He led the club to safety and 17th place in League One last season, but now departs despite Chris Martin’s late goal earning a 1-1 home draw with Stevenage on Tuesday.
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Rovers have placed Andy Mangan in charge on an interim basis, with Glenn Whelan, Danny Ventre and Anssi Jaakkola working alongside him. The club’s next games are at home to Northampton in League One, and Whitby Town in the FA Cup first round.