[themaclad]

Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton has signed a three-year contract extension with the club until 2026.

The former Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR player guided Rovers to a dramatic final-day promotion with an extraordinary 7-0 win over Scunthorpe.

Barton, 39, was appointed in February 2021, but they were relegated to League Two at the end of that campaign.

The Pirates won 23 games as they were promoted back to League One at the first time of asking last season.

"I am delighted to sign a new deal at Bristol Rovers," said Barton, who previously managed Fleetwood Town from 2018 to 2021.

"The journey we have been on and the support I have received from the owner Wael Al-Qadi, the CEO Tom Gorringe and the relationship we've built with the Gasheads, these are all massive factors in me signing on for another four years."

Going into the last day of the season, Rovers needed to better the result of third-placed Northampton or win by five goals more than their rivals.

Northampton won 3-1, but the Pirates secured the final automatic promotion spot on goals scored, returning to League One with Exeter City and champions Forest Green Rovers.

[themaclad]

Joey Barton has been sacked as Bristol Rovers manager after almost three years in charge of the League One side.

Rovers are 16th in the table having won one of their past five matches and recorded four league wins all season.

The 41-year-old former Manchester City, Newcastle and England midfielder led the club to promotion on the final day of his first full season in charge.

First-team coach Andy Mangan will lead the side in the interim while the club look for a new manager.

Fellow coaches Glenn Whelan, Danny Ventre and Anssi Jaakkola will support Mangan, with their first game in charge at home to Northampton on Saturday.

Rovers are the fifth League One side to change manager this season after Charlton Athletic, Fleetwood Town, Cheltenham Town and Lincoln City.

Barton moved to the Memorial Stadium in February 2021 having previously had a spell in charge of Fleetwood Town.

He signed a three-year contract extension with the club until 2026 in July last year following promotion back to the third tier and they went on to finish 17th in the table last season.

They have only won four of 13 league matches this campaign, with five losses and four draws, and drew 1-1 with Stevenage on Tuesday in what would be Barton's final game at the helm.

"Everyone at the club would like to thank Joey for all his efforts and wish him well in the future," a club statement said.

'A surprise to some supporters'
Analysis - Richard Hoskin, BBC Radio Bristol sports editor

Nothing should ever surprise you in football but the news that Joey Barton has been "sacked" by Bristol Rovers will surprise some supporters.

He was backed heavily in the transfer market this summer, but has been cursed by injuries to key players. And for all their quality, Rovers have been crying out for a striker this season - highlighted by the failed transfer of Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Wael al Qadi sold his majority stake in the club to Kuwaiti businessman Hussain AlSaeed in the summer - and presumably he's been heavily influential in this decision.

Joey Barton often divided opinion among the fanbase and he was never afraid to tell it how it was. But for the famous 7-0 victory against Scunthorpe alone that secured promotion to League One, he won't be forgotten in a hurry.