FORMER Burnley Star Joey Barton Has Been Appointed Manager Of Bristol Rovers

The 38-year-old, who played a key role in helping the Clarets gain promotion to the Premier League in 2015/16, will take charge of the League One outfit for the first time against struggling Wigan Athletic tomorrow night.

Barton, who made a total of 52 appearances in two stints at Turf Moor, has signed a deal until 2023 after replacing Paul Tisdale at the Memorial Stadium.

The former Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR midfielder makes a quick return to management having left Fleetwood at the start of 2021 following two-and-a-half years in the hotseat.

Clint Hill and former Accrington Stanley man Andy Mangan are joining him as assistant manager and first-team coach respectively, with 19th-placed Rovers confirming their current coaching staff will remain in place.

Club president Wael Al Qadi said of Barton’s appointment: “We are confident that he will be able to continue the ongoing development of the younger players coming through the ranks at the club and speaking to him, I know his ambitions align with what we want to achieve as a football club.

“I want to wish Joey, the staff and the players the very best of luck for the coming games, as we look to cement our safety in Sky Bet League One and build for the future.”