'Stop rewarding failure' - Barton calls for Southgate sacking after World Cup exit

The Three Lions suffered heartbreak in Qatar as lost 2-1 to France on Saturday as the wait for success on the international stages goes on.

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Now the Bristol Rovers manager, who's side are 12th in League One with seven wins from 21 games this season, has urged England to 'stop rewarding failure'.

Barton wrote on Twitter: "Can't believe Southgate hasn't resigned yet. That's two World Cups and a home European Championship we could/should have won.

"Stop rewarding failure. Got to go. Time to hire somebody who can win.

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"Pizza Hut advert years ago. Enough said."

The Pizza Hut comment is in reference to an advert he appeared in soon after he missed a penalty at Euro 1996 where he had a paper bag over his head, something he has since said he regrets doing.

Southgate has been manager of England since 2016, leading them to the final of Euro 2020 and the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

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He has a win rate of 60.5 per cent from the 81 games he has been in charge since replacing Sam Allardyce.

He is the most successful England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey won the 1966 World Cup and the only other boss to reach a major tournament final.

Opinion has been divided on whether Southgate should be the man to lead the nation into Euro 2024 and beyond.

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Barton is among a chorus of people in the game who thinks it is time for him to go.

The 40-year-old has been in management since 2018, managing Fleetwood and Bristol Rovers, and has a managerial win rate of 39.9 per cent.