Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton addresses Burnley managerial vacancy speculation

Joey Barton has reaffirmed his commitment to Bristol Rovers despite speculation over interest from Premier League club Burnley.

The 39-year-old led the Gas back to League One at the first time of asking after finishing third in a dramatic final day of the season.

After overseeing his first promotion as a coach, following four years of being in the management game, Barton’s stock has never been higher.

The Liverpudlian took a side that were 17th in the New Year to a promotion in the most amazing sequence of events to do it, winning 7-0 on the final day of the campaign.

It has seen the footballing world step up and take notice, including his former club Burnley, with the betting markets at one point placing him as the favourite to succeed Sean Dyche.

Former Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany is now the odds-on-favourite, partly down to Barton’s desire to remain at the Memorial Stadium.

Appearing on BBC Radio Bristol’s Having a Gas, Barton gave Gasheads the words they wanted to hear by reiterating his commitment to them whilst also praising owner Wael al-Qadi.

"I’ve loved every minute of it,” he said whilst answering questions on various topics such as his own future, as well as if Antony Evans was remaining at the Mem.

"I’ve seen that everybody texts you when the betting market changes, but I am fortunate to have an owner who has given me incredible support. I will forever be grateful to the support he has given me.

"He’s somebody who has got enormous ambition for the club and we’ve lived in the city now for the best part of 15 or 16 months. We have felt the energy off the fanbase and I don’t want to be anywhere else.

"I’m still learning. I’m four years in now but that’s my first promotion as a coach. I don’t want to be at the top before I feel I’ve got the skillset to be able to handle it. It’s incredibly difficult up there and I think I’m learning nicely in my job. Hopefully, with Bristol Rovers going forward, we can grow together."

Barton was twice a player at Burnley, first from 2015 to 2016, helping the Clarets to the Championship title. He then returned for a second stint after six-months at Rangers, playing in the Premier League for them, before winding down his playing career.

Mike Jackson has been in the hot seat at Lancashire since Dyche’s sacking since April and has almost guided them to safety.

They sit above Leeds in 17th on goal difference going into the final day of the season with Burnley playing at home to Newcastle and the Whites away at Brentford.

A report from the Manchester Evening News says that Burnley’s chairman Alan Pace are looking at the candidates to succeed Dyche with Kompany emerging as the front runner.

It will however depend if they can preserve their status in English football’s top division with a decision expected after their fate is sealed.