Friday 20 April 2018 15:50, UK
Burnley manager Sean Dyche thinks Joey Barton deserves "massive credit" for taking the job of Fleetwood head coach.
Barton played for Dyche at Burnley and the Clarets boss says he saw the signs of a potential manager.
However, it was something of a surprise when League One Fleetwood announced that Barton will take charge on June 2 - when his suspension for breaching betting rules comes to an end.
But Dyche said: "I don't think it is a surprise so much to me.He is a strong professional, Joe.
"I can only really speak about what he did here and how he adjusted to what we offer the players here.
"He was first class and I felt that there is a 'student of the game' - to coin a phrase! - in him.
"He does want to continue to learn and progress, despite what some people may think.
"He has got an opinion for sure and he has got a strong opinion but I don't think he thinks he has got every answer.
"He is willing to listen, he takes advice. I speak to him semi-regularly and I have always got time for him. He wants to take your opinion and add to his own instinct for the game."
And Dyche thinks Barton will learn plenty about the managerial game in the competitive League One environment.
He added: "Obviously the proof will be in the pudding but massive credit in the sense that - I think Fleetwood are a very good club - but you could argue he could have waited, he could have tried to get in at a higher level.
"But he has accepted the challenge, he is willing to get his hands dirty and learn the game as a manager.
"I played in that division and it is not easy."
