Fleetwood Town coach linked with reunion with Joey Barton at Bristol Rovers

Joey Barton is reportedly looking to add to his backroom staff as Bristol Rovers begin preparations for next season’s campaign in League One.

Barton in his first full season led the Gas back to the third tier at the first time of asking, bouncing back from relegation.

No players have been linked with a move to the Memorial Stadium since the whistle blow on Rovers’ season, but there has been news of a potential backroom staff appointment.

Already a part of the coaching staff at Bristol Rovers are Andy Mangan who was at Fleetwood with Barton, as well as goalkeeping coach Tony Warner and Kevin Bond

But now there could be room for more, with Sun sports journalist Alan Nixon, says that Barton is keen to add Barry Nicholson to his team of coaches.

Nicholson was with Barton during their time at Fleetwood Town, but now the pair could reunite in the West Country.

In an interview with the Daily Record in 2020, he was complimentary about Barton following their time together at Fleetwood. Nicholson said: “He wants the staff to come in with a smile on their face and over the period that has been the case.

“He wants you to bring everything you have got to the table, don’t hide anything from him and if you think of an idea that could help the group then he wants you to bring that out.

“We share the same thoughts on football. Of course there’s the odd argument about certain things but once we are on the pitch the whole backroom staff are 100 per cent behind the manager. “He gives me a big say in how he wants the team to play.”

The 43-year-old is a first-team coach with Lancashire and once served as caretaker manager as well as overseeing their development team.

It was in 2016 that he took up that role, bridging the gap between the first team and Fleetwood’s developmental team, made up of players aged 23-years or younger. He has been in coaching since the end of the 2014 season, having finished his playing career at Scottish side Kilmarnock.

Nicholson played for clubs like Dunfermline Athletic, Aberdeen and Preston North End also, playing in the Champions League qualifiers for the Gers, whilst in the UEFA Cup for Dunfermline and Aberdeen.

He possesses the UEFA B, A and Elite Youth A Licence, with his highest being one below a Pro Licence, which he was studying for in 2020.

Scott Brown was recently appointed as manager of Fleetwood, succeeding Martin Crainie who was caretaker boss, following the exit of Simon Grayson.

The former Celtic captain has recently been shaping his backroom staff and appointed Steven Whittaker as the club’s assistant head coach.

This is a role that Nicholson had overseen when working under interim manager Crainie, which may mean a change in role at his current club.