BARTON CAN BE TOP BOSS INSISTS PILLEY
FLEETWOOD chairman Andy Pilley believes new head coach Joey Barton can take the club to new heights when he takes charge in the summer.
Former Manchester City, Newcastle and QPR midfielder Barton will take the reins this summer, succeeding current boss John Sheridan.
The 35-year-old won’t be able to take charge until June 2, the day after his ban for breaching FA betting rules ends.
The Cod Army have won six promotions since 2004, when Pilley took over the club. Fleetwood were in English football’s ninth tier at the time and they came close to going up to the Championship under Uwe Rosler last year.
Pilley thinks Barton can go one better, saying: “I do think he can take us to the Championship.
“I think it would be unfair to put the pressure on him and say that will definitely happen next season, but I think he can progress us and make us better on the pitch.
“He is a very forwardthinking guy, very passionate, and I’m convinced people will look back and say what a shrewd appointment that is.”
Pilley isn’t worried about Barton’s controversial past, which includes a 12-game ban following a sending off with QPR at Manchester City in 2012.
He insists the one-time England international has all the attributes to make it as a manager.
“Everybody has made mistakes,” Pilley said. “The past is history, it’s gone. We live life in the present and we plan for the future.
“This is not an appointment just to boost the profile of the club. This is not a box office, showbiz appointment.
“This is an appointment because I think Joey Barton has got everything it takes to be a top, top manager/head coach.”