Darrell Clarke has pointed to David Moyes’ positive impact in his second spell at Everton while explaining why now is the right time for him to return to Bristol Rovers, having officially started work at The Quarters on Monday.
The 47-year-old was confirmed as Rovers’ new head coach two weeks ago, just two days after the departure of Inigo Calderon was announced following the Gas’ final day defeat at the hands of Blackpool, with relegation to League Two already confirmed.
Clarke spent four and a half years in charge at The Memorial Stadium between 2014 and 2018 and has since spent time in charge of Walsall, Port Vale, Cheltenham Town and Barnsley. Though he had previously suggested he wouldn’t return to North Bristol, the changes on and off the pitch, and perhaps also the example set by Moyes on Merseyside, made it too good an opportunity to turn down.
“Listen, I’d have walked back,” the Gas’ head coach said in his first press conference at Rovers’ training ground. “The affinity I’ve had with the club, with the supporters in the past and when the phone call came and it was the right time to talk, it was an opportunity I couldn’t wait to get cracking again.
“I’m not so sure,” he continued when asked what changed his mind. “Go and ask David Moyes, he’s done a good job at Everton.
“There are a lot of things saying that football clubs should never go back, and I understand that, but for me, it’s a different club to the one I left. The resources, certainly, the training facilities are fantastic, certainly top-end League One. We didn’t have that last time, so that was a massive pull, and I know the owners are trying to do the right thing to get the stadium up to a much better standard to make sure that we’re in a better place.
“So for me, this is a club that has the ambition to kick on and, unfortunately for us, it’s back in League Two, but that’s all by the by, shall we say now. It’s a fresh start for everyone.”
Unsurprisingly, the mood in and around the Mem in the final weeks of the season was far from positive. With Rovers’ relegation to League Two confirmed following Burton Albion’s 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic in the days leading up to the final day clash with Blackpool, supporters were understandably angry and frustrated with the predicament the Gas had found themselves in.
While that underlying irritation remains as a result of relegation, the return of Clarke has undoubtedly reinvigorated sections of the Rovers support, with social media awash with positivity following the announcement of his appointment. Although the 47-year-old isn’t an avid X or Instagram user, he has felt the fans’ response firsthand through other means.
“I only do LinkedIn as a platform, but the messages I’ve got on there were unbelievable, and I’m still getting them now,” Clarke smiled. “The support has been absolutely fantastic.
“Like I said, I’ve always enjoyed coming back as an opposing manager and being able to thank the fans for how they were with me, how they gave me that chance when I took the club into non-league, how they gave me the opportunity to rebuild and certainly the support I’ve been given on me coming back has been amazing.
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