Joey Barton claims Kevin Keegan is “bang on” with his views on female football pundits commentating on the men's game.
The former Newcastle and England boss claimed he doesn’t “like to listen to ladies talking about the England men's team”. He has since received significant backlash and criticism for his baffling comments.
However, outspoken former midfielder Barton has leapt to Keegan's defence by listing his achievements and claimed that his former manager's comments were correct. Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “Kevin Keegan. Ballon D’or winner 1978. England manager. He’s bang on,” alongside a thumbs up emoji.
Barton played under Keegan twice during his playing career; first under him after progressing through the Manchester City academy, before the pair were then reunited at Newcastle midway through the 2007/08 season when Keegan replaced Sam Allardyce.
His most recent comments come amid a hugely successful spell for the Lionesses over the past few years. England's women's team lifted the Euro 2022 title at Wembley with a victory against Germany before following that up with a runners-up spot at this year’s World Cup. Keegan claimed the experiences between the men and the women’s teams are not the same.
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As quoted by The Times, he said: "I don't like to listen to ladies talking about the England men's team at the match because I don't think it's the same experience. I have a problem with that.
"The presenters we have now, some of the girls are so good, they are better than the guys. It's a great time for the ladies.
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"But if I see an England lady footballer saying about England against Scotland at Wembley and she's saying, 'If I would have been in that position I would have done this,' I don't think it's quite the same. I don't think it crosses over that much."
Barton, now with Bristol Rovers, has already landed himself in hot water with his comments this season. The 41-year-old launched an extraordinary rant at Rovers star Luke Thomas.
Speaking after a 2-0 defeat to Peterborough, Barton said: “Then to compound it one idiotic young boy – I can't even call him a man – has compromised the team with his behavioural standards and we find ourselves 2-0 down with a mountain to climb.
Joey Barton played under Kevin Keegan at Newcastle (Getty Images)
Joey Barton took to social media to respond to Kevin Keegan's comments (Getty Images)“Unless we man up – and I know you have to be careful saying that in the modern era – and absolutely eradicate these weak, feeble-minded individuals that are currently inside our unit, we won't get promoted out of this division.”
Bristol Rovers fans were left furious with the comments and took to social media in the aftermath of the defeat to complain about their own manager.
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