Barton happy to help out Maher at Southend

JOEY Barton says he will always pick up the phone for Kevin Maher if Bristol Rovers can help the new Southend United head coach, writes Sam Frost.

Maher, who spent more than two years on Rovers’ coaching staff under four different managers, returned to Southend last week, the club where he spent most of his playing career, racking up more than 450 appearances.

Barton is disappointed to lose Maher, but he was never going to stand in the 45-year-old’s way.

“He’s been a really good confidant since I came to the club,” the Rovers boss said. “He’s a really good fella, but he’s had coaching ambitions.

“He spent a long time playing at Southend and he spoke to me before the (Colchester) game on Tuesday about the interest.

“As a young coach, which Kev is, you always want to have that chance to put your own ideas in play and have your own group, and he’s got a great opportunity and I wish him every success.

“We’ve said to him that if he ever needs anything from us, the phone will always be on and if we can help him out in any way, we will.

“I’ll be looking out for their results now on a Saturday as Kev crosses over into the managerial hot seat.

“You see some of the (Mikel) Arteta comments in terms of Steve Bruce (people not wanting management jobs due to the abuse they receive) and I think Kev will realise the slight difference between coaching and management, but he’s got all the tools he needs to be successful, so good luck to him and good luck to Southend.”

When asked if he will add another member to his coaching staff, Barton did not rule anything in or out.

“I don’t know yet,” he said. “We’re alright at this moment in time, but we’ll assess that. I may promote from within. I might see what we’ve got.”