Is Barton right that Unsworth is not the right man for Everton job?

Follow us on Google Discover

While Joey Barton’s comments about David Unsworth’s weight seem unnecessary, does he have a point about his future as Everton manager?

Joey Barton takes a look around the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley.

Joey Barton was not pulling any punches with his assessment of Everton caretaker manager David Unsworth following the 2-0 defeat to Leicester City.

The loss at the King Power Stadium was Unsworth’s first Premier League match in charge after the sacking of Ronald Koeman and Barton was not impressed with what he saw, or with the interim boss in general.

Phil Jagielka of Everton (C) and teammates after the Premier League defeat to Leicester City.

“He’s a glorified PE teacher. He’s an academy coach who shouldn’t be managing a men’s team,” the 35-year-old said on talkSPORT.

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

“I used to watch him as an Evertonian and he was the most immobile left-back I’ve ever seen. He’s not a manager and doesn’t look like one.

“I’m a firm believer that teams reflect their manager and Everton did today. They were sloppy.

“Everton need to sort their managerial situation out because it can’t be Unsworth.”

Everton’s interim manager David Unsworth gestures during the English Premier League football match against Leicester City.

While Barton – who grew up in Liverpool as a Toffees fan – may be a little harsh with his comments about Unsworth’s weight, does the ex-Manchester City, Newcastle United and QPR midfielder have a point about the 44-year-old’s management?

The Merseysiders had been poor this season under the guidance of Koeman, something which cost the Dutchman his job, but unlike in many cases following the sacking of the boss there was no upturn in form against the Foxes.

It was a similar story in the first half of Unsworth’s first game at the helm, a 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea, although there were signs of improvement after half-time.

While the former Under-23s boss has made no secret of wanting the top job at Goodison Park on a permanent basis, with his experience in such a position limited to another short caretaker spell when Roberto Martinez was dismissed in 2015, is the ex-defender really who the club needs right now?