Bristol Rovers chief explains Joey Barton sacking as honest ‘budget’ point made

Bristol Rovers new major shareholder Hussain Al-Saeed has certainly stamped down his authority, after the decision was made to relieve Joey Barton of his duties on Thursday.

The Gas havd won four, drawn four and lost 5 of their opening 13 games under Barton in their League One campaign.

“We thought for our plans, our ideas, our vision we thought perhaps we could go to someone else,” said Al-Saeed.

“Fresh blood, a fresh approach that can actually take this this team further and that is basically why we ended the relationship with Joey.”

Barton was appointed back in February 2021 and lasted almost three years at the club, in which he oversaw the Gas regain promotion to League One

“When we came in this summer we have invested and made 13 signings.

“I think for that budget comparing to the other budgets in the league we should be around the top eight if not better and the results did not reflect what we have spent.”

Barton in recent weeks had been in the headlines for the wrong reasons after calling out Luke Thomas in Rovers’ defeat at Peterborough United.

Al-Saeed was asked whether this had any part to play in the decision to sack the 41-year old.

“No I mean I wouldn’t say that, everybody knows Joey and everybody knows that he has not changed.

“That is how he talks all the time and I think people are used to that, but that has nothing to do with our decision that’s for sure.”

The 1-1 draw at home to Stevenage was to be Barton’s last game in charge as the club’s chief was asked whether that was the final straw for their decision.

“I think it was the Burton game before, but we had certainly has discussion in between and we discussed it as a board and of course we’ve taken a unanimous decision about this.”

“It wasn’t an emotional or a reactional decision, but something that we have thought about and discussed and we came to that decision.”

Much of the football world will be wondering what Barton’s next step will be and which club he may end up at next.

“We have deep respect for Joey and we have worked with him for the last few months, a top, top man.

“He will always have a place in our hearts, in this stadium with our fans and we have a seat for him here anytime,” explained Al-Saeed.