Joey Barton is the latest to share his verdict on the ‘Southgate In vs Southgate Out’ debate and it won’t surprise you to hear that he has some strong opinions on the matter.
The ex-pro turned coach, currently managing Bristol Rovers in League One, is never one to shy away from sharing his thoughts and has been regularly tweeting throughout this year’s World Cup.
That being said, while Gareth Southgate is now widely reported to be considering his future after this latest tournament exit, the former Manchester City man is unhappy that a decision is yet to be made.
Writing in multiple posts on Twitter, Barton thinks it’s time to pull the trigger and move on from Southgate, adding that he is surprised a resignation hasn’t already been announced.
Can’t believe Southgate hasn’t resigned yet. That’s two World Cups and a home European Championship we could/should have won.
Stop rewarding failure. Got to go. Time to hire somebody who can win.
As you can see, Barton says that does he not understand how Southgate hasn’t quit already following “two World Cups and a home European Championship we could/should have won”, but that he believes England need to “stop rewarding failure” by offering him new contracts.
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He goes on to insist that the FA need “to hire somebody who can win”. Worth noting that Southgate has actually won the most games at major tournaments (11) and is fourth in terms of all-time win percentage (60.5%) — admittedly with three competitions under his belt.
Nevertheless, Barton also goes on to take aim at Southgate for appearing in a Pizza Hut advert more than 25 years ago after his infamous penalty miss at Euro 96.
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It is a strange watch, we’ll admit.
Clearly a bag and not a pizza box.
While it’s safe to say this seemed like an odd choice at the time, let alone how surreal it looks now, the gag itself is referring to a moment in Southgate had the courage to step up and take a penalty in a historic moment.
Just for context, Barton only ever made one appearance for the Three Lions.
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Either way, the 40-year-old went on to write: “Time for him to move on… He’s a nice guy but he isn’t a winner. When he put Pizza Box on his head after missing the pen, he was done with. No self-respecting man would ever do that.”
And it’s not like you’ve appeared in any questionable adverts, right Joey?
Now, this is not to rubbish Barton’s stance on whether Southgate should stay or go — his opinion is like that of many others over recent years — but it is always worth reminding that despite the painful endings we’re so used to, he has taken the squad further than anyone since Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966.
Moreover, he’s also managed to overcome the club rivalries that so often drew wedges between previous generations and has created a genuine sense of unity and national pride not only in his teams but across the country, after so many had become disillusioned with international football.
We wrote this before the start of Qatar 2022 and it seems more pertinent than ever that although his departure seems most likely, the gratitude this man is owed goes far beyond what he’s received from the likes of Barton and others who would have sacked him before he’d even made it to the Euro 2020 final.
Regardless of whether he stays or goes, he’s created some of the best England memories most will have ever been alive to witness. He’s done a great job.
Featured Image — Bristol Rovers/England (via Twitter)
Sport
Manchester Marathon found fresh community fund following milestone charitable efforts
Danny Jones
The Manchester Marathon has begun a new community fund following more than a decade of incredible charity efforts.
Known as the Trafford Active Fund for the last 10 years or so, the initiative covers not only the city and its wider boroughs’ annual 26.2-mile long race, but various other sports and activity-based schemes across the region.
Now, though, the fresh Manc Marathon Fund is evolving in partnership with the existing Trafford Moving Fund and MCRactive arm of Manchester City Council by expanding its vital charity work further afield than ever before.
Launching ahead of the 2026 event this spring, runners will once again be behind crucial funding across the Greater Manchester region and beyond.
The new Manchester Marathon Community Fund logo (Credit: Supplied)
For context, back in 2024, the MCR Marathon raised nearly £30 million for the local economy and roughly £3.7m for charities like the Alzheimer’s Society; last April, that figure surpassed more than £4m, and the fundraising numbers only continue to increase with every year.
With that in mind, more than £60k is distributed to various partner programmes that “inspire movement, improve wellbeing, and create meaningful change for local people”.
Moving forward, not only will £1 from every paid entry into the Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half continue to go directly into the Manchester Marathon Community Fund (MMCF).
Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of A.S.O. UK – organisers of the MCR Marathon and Half – said: “We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact the Trafford Active Fund has delivered locally over the years, and we’re excited to extend that impact across both Trafford and Manchester City [Centre].
“By broadening our reach, the MMCF will help even more people to get active and contribute to a legacy of movement and wellbeing. Our relationship with Trafford remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing to support the brilliant community projects that make a real difference there.”
Community groups and projects in Trafford or the City of Manchester can apply for funding via the Trafford Moving Fund and MCR Active (dependent on their location).
A panel from each organisation reviews applications and selects projects that best demonstrate lasting impact.
We share stories from funded projects throughout the year, so you can see the difference your event entry makes.
We love how much the North West regularly dedicates its charitable efforts, both socially and physically, towards important causes throughout the year.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via Manchester Marathon/ASO UK)
Sport
Academy graduate Oscar Bobb is leaving Manchester City on a permanent transfer
Danny Jones
Manchester City youth academy graduate Oscar Bobb is leaving the club after sealing a move to Fulham FC.
Despite plenty of loan interest throughout the January transfer window, the Man City attacker has secured a switch to the in-form West London team on a permanent basis.
Bobb looked increasingly likely to leave in some capacity following the arrival of another winger in the form of instant hit, Antoine Semenyo, but it now looks as though his departure is all but confirmed, bar an imminent official announcement.
As reported by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the agreement has now been reached between the two clubs pending a full medical today (Thursday, 29 January).
According to Romano, Fulham will pay Man City approximately £27 million for Bobb’s services, who becomes the latest addition in what has already been a fairly busy period of recruitment.
He goes on to add that “City also mantain [a] 20% sell-on clause, matching rights and future control on the player based on his decision.”
There is no suggestion of a buy-back clause at this time, but given his age and having already made a fair few appearances for Pep Guardiola‘s first team, it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility to see him return to the club one day.
Bobb also arrives at Craven Cottage following the exit of multiple wingers and offensive options, including Adama Traore, ex-Man United product Andreas Pereira and Arsenal youngster, Reiss Nelson, whose loan deal has expired and has signed another temporary deal at local rivals, Brentford.
Had it not been for that injury I know he would’ve been class for City for a long time, and let’s not forget that goal v Newcastle pic.twitter.com/inGxi5UjPM
The young Norwegian winger joined the Etihad Campus back in 2023 and went on to contribute a handful of goals and assists, despite limited appearances and some very unfortunate injury issues.
Only seven months ago, his soon-to-be former parent club released a short video charting his return from the sidelines after fracturing his leg – a setback which kept him out for roughly five months.
Plenty of fans have quickly placed him in the so-called ‘what if?’ category of players, and given that he’s still just 22 years old and has already impressed on a number of ocassions for such a big club, we wouldn’t be surprised if he goes on to have a very exciting career.
Can you see the Blues bringing in or letting anyone else go before deadline day?
Danny Jones -
13th December 2022 
