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26th Nov 2017

Joey Barton tore into David Unsworth after Everton were hammered by Southampton

"Think I need to apologise to all the PE teachers out there. None of them can be as bad as he’s been"

Robert Redmond

“No sympathy.”

Joey Barton was a boyhood Everton fan, but he’s definitely not a fan of the Toffees’ caretaker manager. Barton levelled some bizarre criticism at David Unsworth last month, saying the stand-in Everton boss was too “out of shape” to be considered as a serious contender for the vacant position.

“Look at him on the touchline, he’s more like a steward,” the former Manchester City midfielder said.

“I watched him waddling onto the coach. How can you get players to exert themselves physically when you’re out of shape?

Everton’s search for a new manager is still taking place, over a month after they sacked Ronald Koeman, and Unsworth hasn’t done his chances of getting the role any favours. The former defender has recorded just one victory in his seven games in the dugout this season, and Everton have conceded nine goals in their last two fixtures.

Italian side Atalanta hammered them 5-1 in a Europa League tie on Thursday, and Southampton earned a 4-1 victory over the Toffees on Sunday at St Mary’s. Unsworth may “know the club”, and he has a commendable record as a youth coach, but it appears he isn’t ready to become Everton’s permanent manager.

Barton was on-hand following the crushing defeat on Sunday to rub salt into the wounds. The former Newcastle United midfielder was very much in a “I told you so” mood, reiterating his stance that Unsworth is completely out of his depth. Barton blamed Everton’s awful display on their caretaker manager. The Toffees are currently in 16th place, two points the relegation zone.

You can read Barton’s tweets here: