Joey Barton has revealed he interviewed Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell to be his assistant at Bristol Rovers ahead of Thursday's clash between the teams at the Mem.
Barton wanted to bolster his coaching staff after the surprise exit of Clint Hill in 2021 and former Celtic and Wigan Athletic defender Caldwell – who took charge at St James Park in October after Matt Taylor was snapped up by Rotherham United – was in the frame to be his assistant manager.
Barton decided against recruiting the 40-year-old, choosing to leave the assistant role vacant and adding veteran coach Kevin Bond to his staff. But Barton has been impressed by what he has seen from the Scotsman since taking over in Devon, believing he has made a positive change to the Grecians' style of play.