Joey Barton leaves Fleetwood Town with immediate effect

Barton leaves the Fishermen in 10th position in League One

Joey Barton has left Fleetwood after nearly three years in charge (Getty)

Joey Barton has left Fleetwood Town with immediate effect after two-and-a-half years in charge of the League One club.

Barton leaves the Fishermen in 10th position following one win in eight games, though they are just three points off the play-offs.

The former Manchester City, QPR and Newcastle midfielder’s departure follows his fallout with former Fleetwood striker Ched Evans, who was omitted from the squad due to “disciplinary and behavioural issues”. 

But decisive action from chairman Andy Pilley may see Evans have a future at the club, who have thanked Barton for his contribution.

An official statement from the club read: "Fleetwood Town can confirm manager Joey Barton has left the club with immediate effect.

"We would like to thank Joey for his work during his time at Highbury Stadium and wish him success in the future."

Barton, 38, enjoyed a fine start to his managerial career with the Cod Army, guiding them to the play-offs last season.

Fleetwood lost in the semi-finals to Wycombe, 6-3 on aggregate, with the Chairboys later clinching promotion to the Championship.

Barton’s time at Highbury Stadium was not without controversy, following an alleged clash with former Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel after a match at Oakwell in April 2019.

Stendel, who would guide the Barnsley to promotion, was reportedly left with a damaged tooth after the incident.

Barton was due to stand trial last summer after previously pleading not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The trial has since been put back to June 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and last season’s campaign delayed as a result.