GLEN WHELAN has been backed to manage Ireland in the future by Joey Barton.
Barton is the current manager of Bristol Rovers and has the former Ireland midfielder as part of his backroom staff,
Speaking to The Bristol Post on Friday, Barton revealed why he brough the 37-year-old back into the fold.
"His infectious nature means that when the opportunity arose to bring him back as a coach, it was a no-brainer. The experience and knowledge he can pass on to the lads will be a key factor for us moving forward.
"We’ve had a number of conversations back and forth over the summer because it’s not my place to tell people what to do and it's great for Whelo that he feels the next stage of his football journey isn’t what it was last year."
Barton gave his reasons for the stance in backing the former Villa to take charge of Ireland one day .
The show goes on - Glenn Whelan will be Joey Barton's number two (and number 26) this season as a player-coach with Bristol Rovers.
Barton is a big fan of the Dubliner and can see him "one day managing and coaching Ireland"#COYBIG https://t.co/7fk7lTUzX0— Kenny's Kids (@KennysKids) July 29, 2022
"I think he’s got all the attributes to be a fantastic coach. Being an Irishman, could you see him one day managing and coaching Ireland? Yeah, of course I could, with his experience of his playing career and his international career.
"We go back to the youth team days at Man City (where Barton and Whelan first met) and I like young, hungry staff. I believe massively in good coaches make good players and I think Whelo will be an outstanding coach.
"Not only because of the standing he’s got in the building from when he played, but last year he was mega close to the young players because we had those two dressing rooms (due to Covid-19 regulations) and Whelo was in the other dressing room."
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