Joey Barton is SACKED as manager of Bristol Rovers, hours after he called rival boss Steve Evans a ‘fat man’ and a ‘weeble’ in his final game which left the team stuck 16th in League One

• The former Newcastle United player was appointed as Bristol’s manager in 2021
• The side are winless in three matches after defeats to Burton and Oxford United
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Joey Barton has been sacked as manager of Bristol Rovers just two days after he called rival boss Steve Evans a ‘fat man’ and a ‘weeble’.

The club are winless in their last three matches and currently sit 16th in the League One table.

The former Newcastle United and Manchester City player made the comments towards Evans following his side’s 1-1 draw with Stevenage on Tuesday.

A Bristol Rovers statement said: ‘Everyone at the club would like to thank Joey for all his efforts and wish him well in the future.’

First-team coach Andy Mangan will now lead the side as interim manager. Fellow coaches Glenn Whelan, Danny Ventre and Anssi Jaakkola will also support him.

Bristol Rovers were winless in three and sit 16th in the League One table under Joey Barton

Stevenage manager Steve Evans pictured during his side’s 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers

Barton, who had one job as manager before at Fleetwood Town in 2018, was appointed as Bristol manager in February 2021. 

After leading the club back to the third tier, he signed a three-year contract until 2026 in July last year. They then finished 17th in the table last season. 

The former midfielder represented City, Newcastle, QPR and Burnley as well as picking up an England cap in 2007.

He also spent a period of his career at Rangers before a loan spell at Marseille in France.  

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