Fleetwood Town announced that Joey Barton will take charge as manager at the end of the season.
Currently serving a 13-month suspension, which was originally 18 but was reduced, Barton was found guilty of 1,000 bets on matches in the past decade. He takes charge at Highbury on June 2nd, just a day after his suspension ends.
Joey Barton Named Fleetwood Town Manager For Next Season
Return to Football
Joey Barton’s last appearance as a player was for Burnley as they lost 2-0 to Manchester United, in April of last year. Shortly after he was released by the Premier League club.
Now a year later, his return to football has been announced but this time as a manager in the third-tier.
Interestingly enough, while at Queens Park Rangers in 2012, Barton almost sealed a six-month loan-deal to Fleetwood, when they were playing in League Two. However, the Championship club did not go through with the deal.
New Beginnings for Both
As well as this being Joey Barton’s first managerial job, it is also a new beginning for Fleetwood Town. Currently sitting 14th in League One, it has been a poor season for the Cod Army, in contrast to last season after they reached the play-off semi-finals.
Speaking to BBC Sport, chairman Andy Piley said: “Today’s news signals a new chapter for Fleetwood Town which starts on 2 June and one which we are all excited about.”
Divisive Appointment
Acknowledging the fact that Joey Barton has no previous managerial experience, mixed with the negative reputation he possesses, this appointment could be seen as a divisive one.
It will be an interesting summer for Fleetwood Town. Most of all, it will be interesting to see what Barton will bring to the club, especially in terms of any of his own recruitment and what philosophies he may enforce.
Main Photo:
