Joey Barton SACKED by Bristol Rovers just weeks after fans slammed ex-Man City star for 'throwing own player under bus' | The Sun

JOEY BARTON has been sacked by League One outfit Bristol Rovers.

His exit comes just weeks after fans slammed the ex-Manchester City star for "throwing his own player under the bus."

A Rovers statement confirmed: "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."

Rovers are 16th in League One after just four wins from their opening 14 matches.

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Their last victory came against Port Vale at the start of October.

Since then, they suffered away defeats at Oxford and Burton.

And Barton's last result was a 1-1 draw with Stevenage.

The former Man City midfielder, 41, had been in charge of Rovers since February 2021.

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But following last month's defeat to Peterborough, he was slammed by supporters after aiming a brutal rant at one of his own players.

Barton tore into Luke Thomas for playing on while carrying an injury.

He said: "We had a mountain to climb due to Luke Thomas' decision to play on in the second-half. I've never known anything like it.

"He reported he was a bit stiff one minute before we are going back out, having had 13 minutes to speak to the physios.

"He was told to go out and test it. But two minutes into the second-half his side is compromised because he can't run, he feels the hamstring.

"In his infinite wisdom, I don't know why he presses the ball and doesn't sit on the pitch so the ref can stop the game and we can get the sub on.

"In the midst of that chaotic spell of two minutes, we are compromised from within and they score the second goal.

"I wish I could fine him and I'll be speaking to the CEO about that because it's a ludicrous decision, he shouldn't get paid this week for what he's done because he has put us 2-0 down.

One idiotic young boy, I can't even call him a man

"It's frustrating, we have got to be better than that. You come to a good place like Peterborough, you can't play with ten men, especially in wide areas because they will punish you."

Asked if it was a mistake caused by the 24-year-old's inexperience, Barton snapped back, continuing: "When does the young man stop?

"How many times can we put his lethargy in moments down to being young? At some point the penny has got to drop.

"If you are injured, fine, come off the pitch, nobody has got a problem with that.

"Going back out and making stupid decisions just compromises your team-mates and all our hard work is undone because of a decision by one of our players.

"I'm so frustrated with him, we have given him enormous backing at this club and he lets himself down with stupidity."

In another interview he called Thomas "one idiotic young boy – I can’t even call him a man."

Fans were not happy over Barton's words, with one saying: "This is horrible. Thomas had been amazing this season and I'm sure Rovers fans won't be holding this against him."

Another added: "Very poor, been one of if not the best player for us these season. Not a fan of that."

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A third commented: "Joey Barton throwing arguably our best player this season under the bus is a disgrace. Guy has worked hard every game this season and deserves credit, not criticism."

More raged: "You can be the best manager in the world, but if you throw your players under the bus like this the dressing room very quickly turns on you. A manager throwing excuses instead of looking at himself."

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