Joey Barton’s arrival at Bristol Rovers in 2021 was only his second job in management, coming four years after he retired from professional football. The former midfielder has gone on to win Manager of the Month on two occasions and also helped them win automatic promotion to League One last season.
Barton is now one of the longest-serving managers in the third tier, with the previous leader, Gareth Ainsworth, leaving Wycombe Wanderers to join QPR in the Championship this week. The 48-year-old had spent over ten years with the club and had helped them win promotion twice.
Following his departure, we take a look at where Joey Barton sits among League One’s longest serving managers...

5. Mark Jackson (MK Dons)
1 month 30 days | Getty Images

6. Dean Holden (Charlton Athletic)
2 months | AFP via Getty Images

7. Gary Caldwell (Exeter City)
3 months 29 days | Getty Images

8. Paul Warne (Derby County)
5 months | Getty Images