JOEY BARTON has opened up on his sacking by Fleetwood Town in the wake of his row with Ched Evans.
The 38-year-old admitted ‘I didn’t always get it right’ in a statement released after his departure.
Joey Barton has broken his silence after his Fleetwood sacking in the wake of his row with Ched EvansCredit: Rex Features
The Cod Army axed Barton after chairman Andy Pilley spent a few days reviewing the background of his fall out with striker Evans.
Barton and Evans came to blows after the manager reacted to a ‘comedy skit’ performed by Evans at a team meeting, according to the Mail.
Barton then revealed he was letting Evans go after alleged disciplinary breaches, but Pilley was left to clear up the mess.
Pilley had backed Barton in past controversies, but the Evans episode was the final straw. And it also comes on the top of indifferent results.
Barton made no mention of the Evans incident in a statement released via the LMA but did admit he made mistakes amid ‘highs and lows’.
It read: “First of all I would like to thank the chairman Andy Pilley for the opportunity to manage Fleetwood Town. I have enjoyed every minute of my time at the club. I have learned so much over the past two and half years.
“There are some brilliant people at Fleetwood Town and I have enjoyed getting to know every one of them.
“I would also like to thank all of the coaching staff, both the ones I inherited and the ones I brought in. It has been some journey with some highs and lows and I have really enjoyed watching each of them get better every single day.
Barton said Evans would be leaving the club because of discipline issues
“I would like to thank the fans and say that I appreciate you sticking with me in my first management role. I am not naive enough to think I always got it right, but my only intention during my tenure was to drive this football club forward.
“I have nothing but good things to say about the people of Fleetwood and the surrounding community. I was welcomed from day one.
“To the players, thanks to each of you for bringing it every day. Nobody enjoyed playing against Fleetwood Town and ultimately that is down to you.
“Thanks for being patient with me on my coaching journey. I look forward to watching you as you continue to improve.
“It is tough times for everybody at the moment with all that is going on in the world.
“I am just a football manager who has lost his job, there are plenty of people who were much better than me at theirs that have lost them over the past 12 months.
“I will use this time out to keep getting better, until the next opportunity comes. All the best for 2021.”
Joey Barton’s first interview as Head Coach of Fleetwood Town
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
