Joey Barton: Brat to Boss II

Introduction

What if Joey Barton retired prematurely from football?
What if Joey Barton became a manager?

Let this story answer those questions for you.

This is the second installment of 'Brat to Boss'. You can find the first part here: Joey Barton: Brat to Boss

Index

Season One: 2012/13

Episode 1: From Brat to Boss
Episode 2: Shock
Episode 3: The Board
Episode 4: The Squad
Episode 5: The Media
Episode 6: The Staff
Episode 7: Clearout
Episode 8: First Signings
Episode 9: The Friendlies
Episode 10: The Debut of Joey Barton
Episode 11: A Touch of Argentine

From Brat to Boss

Former Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has had his contract terminated by the club, and is set to retire prematurely from football.


The 29-year-old only joined the Rs last summer but put the club in jeopardy after getting himself sent off for a silly challenge on Carlos Tevez on the last game of the season - a vital one to QPR. The club avoided relegation eventually, but Barton also faced disciplinary actions for another kick on Sergio Aguero, and an attempted headbutt on Vincent Kompany after the referee stopped play.

Despite having to pay Barton hefty compensation, chairman Tony Fernandes was quoted as saying: "It's worth it."

It was initially believed that Barton would look for a new club, but to the shock of the footballing world, the former Newcastle man has announced his retirement from professional football.

Not much is known about this but Barton has tweeted on his Twitter account @Joey7Barton that he would be looking for a coaching or managerial role: "Will be looking fer a club willing to employ me as coach or maybe even manager."

Shock

Former Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has been appointed as manager of Swansea City, much to the shock of the footballing world.


Well, to be honest - shock is an understatement. We interviewed a Swansea fan an hour after this was confirmed, and this was what he had to say: "The chairman is out of his f**king mind! What the f**k is that tw*t f**king thinking?"

Barton is reported to have signed a one-year managerial contract, replacing Brendan Rodgers and beating Michael Laudrup to the post.

Swansea City released a statement: "Joey impressed the board with his thinking and philosophies, and while originally we wanted to appoint him as a coach, we have decided to hand him the challenge of being a manager, a challenge he accepted."

The Board

"Good afternoon, Joey. Congratulations once again for getting this job at Swansea. I take it that you know this is a very prestigious role."

"Of course," I tried to hold back a snort.

"Why don't you take a seat?"

I realized I had been standing the whole time. Not standing on ceremony, I quickly took the nearest seat available. Facing the board kind of made me nervous.

"We know that you intend for Swansea to finish in mid-table this season," said the chairman, Huw Jenkins. "To help you achieve this, we have set aside a 13 million transfer budget for you."

13 million? I was expecting something like 3 million, considering the signings the club had already made before my arrival, but who was I to complain?

"And once again, welcome to Swansea City Association Football Club."

With that, all the board members walked out of the room.

I blinked, realizing I had listened to about 1/4 of the discussion, but shook it off.

He's back again Could we have a French accent in your interview please?

2012-12-31 15:51#74755 Arvind K : He's back again Could we have a French accent in your interview please?

I'll think about it.

The Squad

The Media

I had to mask my displeasure with a weak smile. I hated the media.

And there was all those accursed journalists. The chairman, Huw Jenkins, accompanied me in my first ever press conference as a manager.

"Hello, Joey, and welcome to Swansea City. What are your feelings on being appointed?"

"Well, it's kind of crazy and such... retiring from football and suddenly becoming a manager. It's really a dream come true and I have to thank Huw Jenkins for giving me this opportunity."

"Are we going to see any of your... antics?"

"You might, you might."

"You've arrived at Swansea with the club incredibly short-staffed. Are you planning to get any of your own staff in?"

"Yes, of course. The board will help me with this - including the process of hiring an assistant manager, since we don't have one at the moment."

"Do you have a clear idea of your activity in the transfer market?"

"I've been given quite a hefty sum from the board and I intend to spend it wisely."

"What about the players? Do you know who is in your plans and who isn't?"

"The players I don't have a very good impression of will be given chances to impress me in training. If they don't, out they go, of course."

"Are you going to focus solely on the Premier League this season?"

"Mostly the Premier League, but of course we are also going to try to get far in the cup competitions."

"Alright, well, once again, congratulations on getting this job at Swansea City."

"Thank you."

Superb start Glenn, keep it up
And don't forget it's me who told you to take Swansea

2012-12-31 17:53#74766 Sonalexwild : Superb start Glenn, keep it up
And don't forget it's me who told you to take Swansea

Of course mate!

2012-12-31 07:51#74755 Arvind K : He's back again Could we have a French accent in your interview please?

Should be welsh

The Staff

I have completed my staff overhaul of the squad, with recommendations from the board and the other coaches at the club.


Some notable new staff include my new assistant manager, Scotsman Ricky Sbragia. Ricky also holds a role in the Scotland national team as the manager of Scotland Under-19s. He should be a good addition, and I'll certainly be working closely with him.


Another Scotsman, Jim Leishman, also joins the backroom team as our new Director of Football.


Our new Head of Youth Development is former Blackburn manager Steve Kean.


Our complete staff list here.


New chief scout Gilmar Francisco heads a team of Brazilian and English scouts.

2012-12-31 10:34#74780 Sammmm :

2012-12-31 07:51#74755 Arvind K : He's back again Could we have a French accent in your interview please?

Should be welsh

He did a French accent a couple of weeks ago when he was talking to the press in France.

I like the new staff Glenn Good Luck

Clearout

New Swansea boss Joey Barton has stamped his authority on the Welsh club, showing the door to no less than 9 players.

The 29-year-old is a newbie to football management, but has boldly made moves to sell 9 Swansea players, cutting down the current senior squad to only 16 players.

The first one out the door is right-back Ashley Richards, who came from the Swansea youth academy. The Wales Under-21 international looked set to be a star at the Liberty Stadium when he broke into the first team in 2009, but his Swansea career has deteriorated in recent seasons. The 21-year-old will continue his football career at Championship club, Derby, whom he joined for 200k.


33-year-old veteran midfielder Mark Gower is also set to move. The Englishman joined the Swans in 2008 on a free transfer and has been a vital part of the team since then, but Barton does not think he'll continue producing, and Gower will move on to Scottish champions Celtic for 500k.


20-year-old French defender Darnel Situ has also been shipped off to Bristol City for 220k, just a year after previous manager Brendan Rodgers brought the youngster to Wales from RC Lens.


Despite being a fan favourite at the Liberty Stadium, 29-year-old Alan Tate has also been pushed out of the door, 10 years after he initially signed for the Welsh club on loan from Manchester United. The central defender links up with Ipswich Town for a fee of 1 million.


Like Situ, 20-year-old Rory Donnelly was signed only last season from Cliftonville, but has now been moved on as well to Peterborough for 300k.


Kemy Agustien has agreed to return to his home country of Holland, with Vitesse paying 2.5 million for the Dutch midfielder.


Former England Under-21 international Wayne Routledge will join West Bromwich for a fee of 3 million.


26-year-old English striker Luke Moore joins Huddersfield for 1 million after an unsuccessful 2 years with the Swans.


Last but not least, Leroy Lita has joined teammate Mark Gower to Scottish champions Celtic, for 2 million.


These sales have fetched Joey Barton and Swansea an additional transfer budget of 10 million, and it will now be up to the controversial man to find replacements.