Inside Joey Barton’s Fleetwood sacking as Ched Evans bust-up proved final straw

Joey Barton's dressing-room bust-up with Ched Evans was reportedly the final nail in the coffin which led to his sacking as Fleetwood manager.

Barton, 38, was dismissed on Monday after nearly three years with the League One club.

Fleetwood reached the play-offs last season but results have not been up to scratch this campaign, and a run of three draws leaves them 10th.

Results on the pitch, however, were compounded by events off it, as Barton was involved in a heated spat with one of his players.

Following the 1-0 win at Swindon in December, he came to blows with Evans in the dressing room.

That's according to the Daily Mail , while Barton confirmed Evans would leave the club for "disciplinary reasons" later that month.

Barton then held talks with Fleetwood owner and chairman Andy Pilley, with the pair agreeing he should leave his post.

The report adds Barton's spat with Evans was not the first time he has had an altercation with one of his players.

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But it was the most high-profile bust-up yet and was symptomatic of a poor mood among many members of the squad.

Tensions between the pair were running high after Barton took badly to a comedy gag performed by Evans last month.

Barton is believed to have called out players for wearing tights and gloves during cold sessions at the training ground.

But when Evans was told to do a 'magic trick' as his punishment for a minor infringement, he produced pictures of Barton and his coaching staff wearing gloves at training during their own playing careers.

Evans also mocked-up former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder Barton and his staff as a muscly super heroes.

Championship club Preston North End are reportedly interested in former Wales striker Evans, 32, while academy boss Simon Wiles has taken charge of Fleetwood's first team as interim manager.

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