Bristol Rovers have confirmed the re-appointment of club legend Darrell Clarke as their new head coach on a three-year deal until summer 2028, six-and-a-half years on from his departure.
Clarke oversaw back-to-back promotions from the Conference to League One between 2014 and 2016 and was in charge when Rovers secured their highest finish for the last 25 years – 10th place in the third tier in the 2016/17 season.
He departed in December 2018 after four-and-a-half years in charge and has since had spells at Walsall, Port Vale, Cheltenham Town and Barnsley but now looks set for a sentimental return to Rovers.
Speaking to the club, Clarke said: “It is difficult to put into words just how special it feels to come back to Bristol Rovers. I am beyond proud to return and once again be here at this exceptional club.
“Even though the season just gone was undoubtedly a difficult one, the potential of this club remains incredibly high and, when the chance to return came up, I didn’t have any hesitation.
“I am excited to get down to work during the off-season, prepare for the new campaign and step out at the Mem once again in front of the brilliant, passionate Gasheads. We will need each and every one of them with us in the season to come and I want to give them a team they can get behind and performances they can be proud of.”
After it was officially confirmed that Inigo Calderon had left the club on Sunday, numerous Gasheads took to social media to express their desire to see Clarke return to the club ahead of trying to navigate an immediate return to League One out of League Two following Rovers’ relegation.
The 47-year-old has been out of work for just under two months having left Barnsley in March where he spent nine-and-a-half months
Clarke made the move over to Oakwell from Cheltenham last May where he almost kept the Robins in League One after inheriting a side that had failed to win or score in their opening 10 matches.
Prior to his spell at Whaddon Road, the Rovers legend added a third promotion to his CV when guiding Port Vale to the League Two play-offs in the 2021/22 campaign, getting promoted alongside the Gas who had finished in the final automatic promotion place. He also managed Walsall for a season-and-a-half.
Bristol Live understands that the search process for a new manager began a few weeks ago as it became increasingly clear that Calderon would not be staying on with relegation looking increasingly likely.
New director of football Ricky Martin has led the search with Rovers keen to address the managerial position swiftly to eradicate any potential uncertainty ahead of a significant rebuild in the summer. 15 players have already left the club, including club captain Scott Sinclair.
On the appointment, Martin said: “Following the review of our footballing operation we began our recruitment proceedings, and it quickly became clear to me that Darrell was the right person to take our first team forward. He has been our number one target throughout this process.
“Darrell is an experienced and methodical coach, and I have been impressed by the expertise and knowledge he has shown. Even more apparent is his enthusiasm and energy, as is his incredible passion for Bristol Rovers Football Club.
“I am looking forward to working closely with Darrell over the summer and throughout pre-season as we revitalise and rejuvenate our playing squad, and ensure the club has the best possible standing ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.”
The Gas will compete in League Two next season after their three-year stay in League One came to an end and will be targeting an immediate return to the third tier. Rovers’ campaign ended with a whimper as they picked up just one point from their final 10 games and subsequently plummeted into the relegation zone with Calderon subsequently losing his job.
Once completed, Clarke will be the Pirates’ fourth permanent manager in 18 months with the Al Saeed family sacking three managers since arriving at the club in August 2023.
Discussion about this post