Joey Barton appointed as new manager of League One side Bristol Rovers

Joey Barton has been appointed as the new manager of Bristol Rovers, seven weeks after he left fellow League One side Fleetwood Town.

The former England international has signed a deal at the Memorial Stadium until 2023, replacing Paul Tisdale who was sacked earlier in February after just three months in charge. Barton will take charge for the first time at home to Wigan on Tuesday, with Rovers 19th in the table but just three points above the second-bottom Latics.

The 38-year-old will be joined by assistant manager Clint Hill and first-team coach, with Rovers confirming their current coaching staff will remain in place. Barton’s appointment comes amid reports that Nigel Pearson is set to take over at Rovers’ local rivals, Bristol City, until the end of the season.

Wael Al Qadi, the Bristol Rovers owner and president, said: “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 League One and build for the future,” added the Jordanian, who bought Bristol Rovers in 2016.

Barton’s playing career included spells at Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR plus a solitary England cap, earned against Spain in 2007. He spent two-and-a-half years in the managerial hot seat at Fleetwood before leaving in January.