Joey Barton: 'I could be England boss'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 20 September 2016

Rangers midfielder Joey Barton claims that he would be better suited to the England managerial role than current Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce.

Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has claimed that he would be better suited to the role of England manager than Sam Allardyce, who replaced Roy Hodgson as Three Lions boss following a disastrous Euro 2016.

Barton is currently under the spotlight after being suspended for three weeks by his Scottish club following a training-ground altercation with teammate Andy Halliday.

Meanwhile, it is also understood that the 34-year-old is under investigation for allegedly breaking betting rules in relation to Celtic's Champions League clash with Barcelona last week.

However, Barton, whose autobiography is out this week, has taken the time to have his say on England matters and has claimed that he would be a better manager than Allardyce due to his superior ability as a player.

"Let's look at who is doing the key roles. Sam Allardyce is England manager. Well, am I a better player than Sam? Well, yeah, of course," Barton told the Daily Mail.

"Do I believe, if Sam can get to be England manager then I can? Of course I do. What's Sam got that I haven't got? I look at Roy Hodgson in the England job and look at the way he handled it. Surely even you think you could have done a better job."

Barton's one and only England cap came in a friendly against Spain in 2007.