Joey Barton has been sacked as Bristol Rovers boss after three years in charge of the English League One side.

The former Rangers midfielder leaves the club 16th in the table having won just one of their last five games.

A statement from the club read: "

"Bristol Rovers Football Club can confirm that today the club has relieved First Team Manager Joey Barton of his duties.

"Everyone at the club would like to thank Joey for all his efforts and wish him well in the future.

"In the interim, Andy Mangan will lead the team supported by Glenn Whelan, Danny Ventre and Anssi Jaakkola who will remain in post.'

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Meanwhile, Graeme Souness has revealed that he helped Rangers in their hunt for a new manager, with Philippe Clement and Frank Lampard the two outstanding candidates.

Souness is set to be appointed by the Ibrox club in a consultancy role, but ahead of an official announcement, the Ibrox hero was involved in the process of appointing Michael Beale's successor.

“There were two outstanding candidates; Frank and Philippe,” Souness explains. “The final say wasn’t with me.  

“For me, Frank had the edge because of this; Frank, I think, has still got a great deal to offer. Taking the Chelsea job when he did was always going to be very, very difficult. The Everton job is a basket case. And have they improved since Frank left? Not a bit.

“So, I wouldn’t be too critical of Frank. The thing that encouraged me about Frank is that he wanted to do it. He doesn’t need the money. He wants to be a successful manager. And he fancied the Rangers job.”