Joey Barton will begin his managerial career at Fleetwood on 2 June when a suspension for breaking Football Association betting rules ends. He was at Burnley when he received the 18-month ban, reduced to 13, for gambling on 1,260 football matches or competitions from 2006 to 2016.

The 35-year-old has agreed a three‑year deal at Fleetwood, who are 14th in League One with three games of the season left. “I’m very excited by the challenge and the project at Fleetwood Town,” the former England midfielder told the club’s website. “It’s a club I’ve known for a long time and a chairman [Andy Pilley] I already have a very good relationship with.

“My first job in management was always going to be a big decision for me and I’m delighted with the opportunity ahead, I’m joining a club with big ambitions. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Pilley said: “This is a huge appointment for Fleetwood Town and one I’m very excited about. Joey not only brings a host of experience and profile but I also feel he has the potential to become one of the best in the new generation of coaches.

“He’s someone I’ve known for a number of years and I’m convinced he’s ready to make the step into management, and that he will be a huge success. Joey will be able to build on the fantastic work done by John Sheridan during the last couple of months, one he deserves huge credit for. John joined us on a short term arrangement with the aim of keeping us in League One and I’m delighted he’s been able to do that.”

A midfielder, who also played for Manchester City, Newcastle, Queens Park Rangers, Marseille and Rangers, Barton’s career has proved controversial. In December 2004 he stubbed a lit cigar in the eye of City team-mate Jamie Tandy at the club’s Christmas party. While he was fined six weeks’ wages – two of which were suspended – Tandy sued Barton, winning £65,000 in damages.

After an altercation with a 15-year-old Everton fan at City’s team hotel in Bangkok the following July, Barton was found guilty of gross misconduct and fined eight weeks’ wages. Two years later he left team-mate Ousmane Dabo requiring hospital treatment for an eye injury for which he received a four-month suspended jail sentence for assault.

Barton’s nadir came in May 2008 when he got a six-month sentence for common assault and affray during an incident in Liverpool city centre the previous December.