Joey Barton's managerial stock may have taken a blow when Bristol Rovers' relegation was confirmed at the weekend, but one of his former players has spoken glowingly of the Gas boss' coaching ability.
Former Celtic star Charlie Mulgrew, a 44-cap Scotland international, played under Barton at Fleetwood Town, and the 35-year-old was left hugely impressed by the Rovers boss' methods.
Mulgrew has worked with many successful managers and coaches in England and Scotland, but his six months with Barton at Highbury Stadium were more than enough to leave a lasting impression.
"I liked him," Mulgrew told Open Goal. "I only had him for six months so it is hard to get a feel for somebody fully in six months.
“For what I had, he was very good and very detailed with what he did on the training pitch every day.
“He had plans on how he wanted to play and I thought he was very good.
“He loves the game. When I first went and spoke to him I was down there for five hours and we just spoke football the full time.
“He is obsessed with it all. The tactics, everything. He is right into it.
"He’s one of the best coaches I have worked under."
In addition to his understanding of the game, Mulgrew was impressed by Barton's relationship with his players.
“He lets you have an opinion, he is open," the defender continued. "He would let you go speak to him 100 per cent. Man to man.
“He likes Sean Dyche. He is big on him. He loved working under him.
“He likes to chat about the game and lets you have an opinion but ultimately he is the manager and he makes the decision.
“He would be out there every day but mainly on a Thursday and Friday in the build-up to a game.”
