Steve Evans reveals six‑stone weight loss after social media taunt from Joey Barton

Steve Evans, the 62‑year‑old former Football League manager, has revealed he has lost six stone, prompting widespread reaction from fans and former colleagues.

Evans, who built a reputation as a combative and colourful figure during spells in charge of clubs including Leeds United, Gillingham, Stevenage and Rotherham, departed the Millers in May following his second spell at the club. The former manager’s transformation drew renewed attention after a public exchange on social media last summer with ex‑Premier League midfielder and manager Joey Barton.

The social media dispute began when Rotherham posted images of Evans running a training session. Barton took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticise Evans, writing that he could not "demand athletic outputs from professional men with a body like a bin liner full of milk" and asking whether someone should be "sacked as the leader of a sports team for being that out of shape? #beingfatisnotgood." The exchange revived a long‑running feud between the two men that dates back to Barton’s own managerial career.

Reports and posts from fans and local media say Evans has since undertaken a significant change to his lifestyle and physical condition, which he has displayed publicly. Six stone is equivalent to 84 pounds (around 38 kilograms). Images and reports circulated on social platforms and in coverage of his activities since leaving Rotherham showed a visibly leaner figure, prompting comments from supporters who regard him as a cult hero for his outspoken style and managerial achievements across the lower leagues.

Evans’ managerial career spans more than two decades and multiple promotions and relegation battles in the Football League. He has been a frequent presence in heated exchanges with opponents, players and pundits, a trait that contributed to his media profile and polarised public response. His spells at clubs such as Gillingham and Stevenage brought notable successes; his time at Leeds United and Rotherham increased his national visibility.

The most recent public clash with Barton followed a pattern of online confrontations between former managers and players who have moved into media roles. Barton, who played in the Premier League and later became a manager, has a history of forthright commentary on social platforms. Neither Barton nor Evans issued extended statements detailing the weight‑loss regimen or the nature of their broader relationship beyond the exchanges on X.

Supporters and commentators drew varied conclusions from the images and reports of Evans’ weight loss, with some praising the transformation and others focusing on the history of the pair’s feud. Evans’ departure from Rotherham in May marked the end of his second spell at the club; he has not announced a return to club management since leaving.

The revelation of Evans’ six‑stone loss adds to ongoing public interest in his career and persona. As a manager known for his outspoken approach on and off the pitch, Evans’ change in appearance — and the social media confrontation that preceded renewed attention — underlines how personal matters and professional reputations intersect in modern football coverage.