New Bristol Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke has given his first interview since his re-appointment to the club, where he first achieved an incredible double promotion between 2014 and 2016.
Clarke inspired the BS7 outfit to back-to-back promotions from the National League through to League One with scenes that will live long in the memories of Gasheads. Now the 47-year-old Gas icon has returned to the club and spoke of unfinished business with the Pirates as he gave his first interview to Bristol Rovers club media.
Palpable hunger from the new Bristol Rovers head coach
Clarke said: “I’m not coming back if I’m not hungry. For me, I’ve got unfinished business here. The last year of my time here was very disappointing. I know why it was disappointing, and I held myself responsible for that, but I feel like there is now potential at the club, and I didn’t necessarily have the finances when I was here last time to push on from League One to the Championship. I feel like the owners have backed the managers very well, and for whatever reason, it’s gone wrong, and I think I’ll get the backing to be able to kick us on and hopefully get us challenging, eventually, to try and able us to get in the Championship. But it’s not going to be easy.”
Clarke left Bristol Rovers having been sacked with the club 21st in League One and struggling to take the extra step required to go up another level. Both on the pitch and off it. Clarke accepts his responsibility for that and also cited investment limitations as a hindrance to further progress. Of course, in recognition of that, Rovers have undergone major infrastructure changes as well as a change in the ownership model, with Hussain Al Saeed now majority owner of the club and set to complete a full takeover by summer 2026.
Despite consolidation in League One following their back-to-back heroics, the club appeared to stagnate under Clarke before falling back into the relegation conversation. Clarke ultimately left Bristol Rovers in December 2018 with the Pirates sitting in the relegation zone, four points adrift following seven defeats from ten prior to his dismissal.
League One table on 13th December 2018 (as per 11v11.com)
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
PTS
20
Scunthorpe United
21
5
6
10
29
44
-15
21
21
Bristol Rovers
21
4
5
12
17
25
-8
17
22
Plymouth Argyle
21
4
5
12
24
40
-16
17
23
AFC Wimbledon
21
4
3
14
15
31
-16
15
24
Bradford City
21
4
3
14
18
39
-21
15
A confident Darrell Clarke wants to create a second legacy at Bristol Rovers
During the interview, Clarke expressed confidence that this time he could lead the club to the Championship, as has been the goal of the last two ownership regimes.
Continuing: “There’s going to be a load of speedbumps in the road. We’ve got to get out of League Two first. It’s a hell of a task, and when you’ve been relegated, there’s a hell of a lot of work to be done. But I’m confident in the work, and I’m confident that I’ll be able to get a team out there and a squad of players here next year that do the shirt proud and hopefully have a successful season.”
The Rovers icon has come back with a clear intent to get this club rocking again. His winning mentality and passion for the club projected strongly from the interview. And his unwavering ambition to drive Bristol Rovers to a new horizon will enthuse and encourage Gasheads everywhere. One answer in particular was perhaps the most inspiring: “I’m certainly not coming back fearing failure.
“I’m coming back with the appetite to put more smiles on the faces and build another legacy.”
On the back of a gutting season that’s seen Bristol Rovers lose their League One status, it’s the upbeat noises you want from a newly-appointed manager. The Gas faithful will be seriously encouraged.
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