‘Got to go’ - Bristol Rovers Joey Barton’s damning verdict on England boss Gareth Southgate

Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton believes that Gareth Southgate should stand down as manager of the England national team. The Three Lions lost 2-1 to France in the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Saturday.

Aurelien Tchouameni opened the scoring for Les Bleus, but Harry Kane equalised from the spot ten minutes in to the second-half. Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud - France's all-time record goal scorer restored their lead and England spurned the chance to equalise after captain Kane skied his second penalty over the bar.

Southgate after England's exit - is contemplating his future, but admitted that he would take time before coming to a decision over whether to depart or not. He has a contract with the Football Association until EURO 2024, with their qualifying campaign beginning in March.

Barton, however believes that it is time to move on from the former Middlesbrough manager, who has managed England at the last three major tournaments. Southgate guided England to the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup, losing to Croatia, before losing to Italy in the final of EURO 2020 at Wembley Stadium last year.

"Can’t believe Southgate hasn’t resigned yet," was posted on his Twitter account on Monday afternoon. "That’s two World Cups and a home European Championship we could/should have won.

"Stop rewarding failure. Got to go. Time to hire somebody who can win.

“Pizza Hut advert years ago. Enough said. In an additional follow-up tweet, it read: “When he put Pizza Box on his head after missing the pen, he was done with. No self respecting man would ever do that. Sorry. He’s had his time. Move him on.

Barton also referenced an advert that Southgate took part in for Pizza Hut. He missed a penalty against Germany in the semi-final of EURO 1996. He along with Chris Waddle and Stuart Pearce made light of the situation with the England national team boss wearing a paper bag over his head for the majority of the advert.

As for Barton's involvement on the international stage, he made a single appearance for the England national team - coming on as a substitute for Frank Lampard in a friendly defeat to Spain in 2007.