Joey Barton

Joey Barton, manager of Bristol Rovers.

Joey Barton responds to Bristol Rovers fans booing after winless run James Copley

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Former Olympique Marseille player and current Bristol Rovers manager, Joey Barton looks on from the crowd during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Tottenham Hotspur and Olympique Marseille at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

SAFC defeat NUFC in youth game as Cats loanee nets hat-trick against Joey Barton James Copley

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Roy Keane looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on September 4, 2022 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Two ex-SAFC managers linked with Huddersfield Town job after Schofield departure James Copley

Sunderland head coach Alex Neil. Picture by FRANK REID.

Next Stoke City manager: SkyBet make Sunderland boss Alex Neil favourite Richard Mennear

Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images).

Next Stoke City manager: Names in frame for Championship job Richard Mennear

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Sunderland manager Alex Neil reacts on the touchline during the Sky Bet Championship between Sunderland and Coventry City at Stadium of Light on July 31, 2022 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Neil spotted watching Barton's Bristol Rovers lose to Barnsley in League One James Copley

John Marquis of Portsmouth in action during the Sky Bet League One match between Portsmouth and Northampton Town at Fratton Park on October 27, 2020.

Former £10m-rated SAFC 'target' joins Barton at Bristol Rovers in League One

Elliot Anderson celebrates his side's seventh goal during against Scunthorpe United.

Elliot Anderson set for Newcastle United opportunity Miles Starforth

Elliot Anderson of Bristol Rovers celebrates. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Eddie Howe issues Newcastle United update on Elliot Anderson Miles Starforth

Eden Hazard will reportedly snub moves to Newcastle United and Arsenal this summer. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Round-Up: Ex-Chelsea star to ‘snub’ transfer to Newcastle and Arsenal Joe Buck

Joey Barton, Manager of Bristol Rovers looks on as he walks off the pitch at full-time after the Papa John's Trophy match between Bristol Rovers and Chelsea U21 at Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2021 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)

Former Fleetwood manager cleared of assault following League One match Dominic Scurr

Sunderland attacking midfielder Elliot Embleton

Embleton to Blackpool update provided as Barton set for Bristol Rovers return James Copley

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 10: Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton looks on prior to the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Bristol Rovers at PTS Academy Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

SAFC striker 'target' weighs-up foreign move as Barton receives criticism James Copley

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 10: Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton looks on prior to the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Bristol Rovers at PTS Academy Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Wyke, Hawkes and Power latest as Joey Barton weakens SAFC's rivals with signing James Copley

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton looks on prior to the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Bristol Rovers.

SAFC linked with ex-Premier League player as Joey Barton suffers transfer blow James Copley

Joey Barton, manager of Bristol Rovers, looks on following the Sky Bet League One match between Bristol Rovers and Accrington Stanley at Memorial Stadium.

Barton 'won't accept relegation' as Ipswich labelled a 'Sunday League' team

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton looks on prior to the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Bristol Rovers at PTS Academy Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Grigg's goal prompts Barton rant after chewing tobacco training ground debacle James Copley

Sunderland loanee attacker Jordan Jones.

Jones 'keen' on SAFC switch as Phillips delivers verdict on 'positive' decision James Copley

Portsmouth's Jordy Hiwula celebrates with teammate Ellis Harrison, Ben Close, and Marcus Harness after scoring a goal.

Sunderland's promotion rivals suffer big injury blow ahead of League One run-in James Copley

Former Newcastle manager Alan Shearer during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Fulham.

Twelve years to the day since Mike Ashley hired Alan Shearer as Newcastle United... Ben Robinson

Roy Keane.

Pundit calls Barton a 'poor man's Keane', Ipswich eye recruitment overhaul James Copley

Joey Barton, manager of Bristol Rovers, reacts following the Sky Bet League One match between Bristol Rovers and Sunderland at the Memorial Stadium on March 27, 2021.

Sunderland receive £853k boost, Barton could face legal action, KLD invests James Copley

Joey Barton.

'There’s no way that’s a penalty kick' - This is why Bristol Rovers boss Joey Ba... Richard Mennear

'About time they got their act together!': Ex-Newcastle United man Joey Barton offer this verdict on Sunderland's recent form

'About time they got their act together!': Joey Barton has this SAFC verdict Mark Donnelly

Joey Barton

Joey Barton delivers an extraordinary press conference ahead of Sunderland clash Mark Donnelly

Sunderland Echo SAFC Watch Party.

Sunderland Echo Watch Party for SAFC trip to Bristol Rovers Richard Mennear

Jack Baldwin

Jack Baldwin hails Joey Barton's impact as defender prepares for SAFC reunion Mark Donnelly

Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton.

Joey Barton's message to Bristol Rovers squad ahead of Sunderland clash

Gillingham manager Steve Evans gives instructions during the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town and Gillingham at PTS Academy Stadium.

Sanderson and Melamed latest as Gillingham boss makes bold promotion claim James Copley

Joey Barton, Bristol Rovers manager.

Joey Barton opens up on problems facing Bristol Rovers ahead of Sunderland clash Richard Mennear

Joey Barton, manager of Bristol Rovers, looks on following the Sky Bet League One match between Bristol Rovers and Accrington Stanley at Memorial Stadium on March 9, 2021

Every time Joey Barton has tried to wind up Sunderland fans James Copley

Sunderland drew with Lincoln City at the weekend.

Stephen Elliott: Why Max Power deserves a new deal as Sunderland battle for leag... Stephen Elliott

Tottenham Hotspur's Danny Rose during a PL2 match against Derby County.

Ex-Sunderland and Leeds defender set for free transfer as rivals left fuming James Copley

Joey Barton is the new Bristol Rovers manager.

Joey Barton to face Sunderland again after being named Bristol Rovers manager Ross Gregory

Simon Grayson.

Ex-Sunderland manager Simon Grayson back in football Richard Mennear

All of the latest League One transfer gossip from around the web.

Sunderland conclude deal as 'target' says interest is ‘just speculation’ James Copley

All of the latest League One transfer gossip from around the web.

Sunderland 'leading' 12 goal striker chase as 'target' joins Championship outfit James Copley

Joey Barton is no longer head coach at Sunderland's League One rivals Fleetwood Town.

Four ex-Sunderland bosses emerge as contenders to replace Joey Barton James Copley

All the latest League One transfer gossip from around the web.

Boardroom change at Sunderland ahead of takeover as rivals eye transfer deals James Copley

All the latest League One transfer gossip from around the web.

Rivals 'leading' Sunderland in race to sign 21-y/o ex-Derby County midfielder James Copley

Joey Barton

Joey Barton leaves Fleetwood Town after Sunderland's rivals win just ONCE in sev... Mark Donnelly

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - MAY 11: Sam Allardyce, manager of Sunderland celebrates staying in the Premier League after victory during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Everton at the Stadium of Light on May 11, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

This is what Allardyce said about Parkinson's sacking and Johnson's appointment James Copley

PRESTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Paul Cook manager of Wigan Athletic stands dejected during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Wigan Athletic at Deepdale on August 10, 2019 in Preston, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Paul Cook details challenges facing Sunderland's next manager James Copley