Joey Barton can’t win these days – even when he’s trying to be nice.
The Rangers man is known as something of a motor mouth, and certainly isn’t afraid of courting controversy, whether it’s with a full-blooded tackle, contrary opinion, or sweeping Twitter statement.
But it seems that his every utterance is ammunition for those ready and waiting to take the piss, even when he’s not really being controversial or contrary at all.
On Tuesday, Everton Football Club confirmed that they’d finally appointed Ronald Koeman as their new manager. They had supposedly been on the verge of announcing his arrival for weeks.
OFFICIAL: #EFC is pleased to confirm the appointment of manager @RonaldKoeman on a 3-year contract! #WelcomeRonaldhttps://t.co/fDdNUsO9Mf
— Everton (@Everton) June 14, 2016
Responding to the news, Barton was positively gushing about Roberto Martinez’s replacement. He was particularly impressed with the former Southampton boss’s managerial CV…
Superb appointment by @Everton @RonaldKoeman was best available in current market. Serial winner whose habits will improve EFC no end.
— 👑Dr Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) June 14, 2016
But the descriptor ‘serial winner’ was pounced upon by rival fans, who found the very suggestion absurd. According to them it was a ridiculously blue-tinted view of the appointment…
https://twitter.com/cagiest/status/742678573740392448
serial winner apart from at the clubs where he won nothing.
— Nik (@nikbarnes79) June 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/KaneWatto/status/742684734099234816
@Joey7Barton @Everton @RonaldKoeman "Serial winner" that's not won anything for 7 years
— Spion Kop (@TheKopHQ) June 14, 2016
Indeed it may have been a slight exaggeration on Barton’s part, but in fairness he didn’t specifically refer to Koeman’s managerial career. The Dutchman boasts a European Cup, European Super Cup, European Championship with Holland, and four La Liga titles amongst his honours as a player.
In any case, claims that he has won ‘zero trophies’ as a manager are just plain false, as the Everton infographic below points out. Barton doesn’t half come out with some guff sometimes, but he’s not far wrong this time.
GRAPHIC: Here's new #EFC boss @ronaldkoeman's career as a player and a manager in facts and figures. #WelcomeRonald pic.twitter.com/hOfZWlaLUG
— Everton (@Everton) June 14, 2016
