Bristol Rovers are moving swiftly to identify a new permanent manager following the sacking of Iñigo Calderón, with former Barnsley boss Darrell Clarke now leading the race to take charge at the Memorial Stadium once again.
Calderón’s departure was announced less than 24 hours after the Gas concluded their League One season with a 4-1 defeat to Blackpool, confirming a 22nd-place finish and relegation to League Two. It ended a disastrous run of form under the Spaniard, who managed just one point from the final ten games of the campaign.
The club has now turned its attention to rebuilding both on and off the pitch, and Clarke, a familiar name to Rovers fans, is reportedly the front-runner. The 47-year-old previously guided the club from non-league to League One in a memorable double-promotion spell between 2014 and 2016, before leaving in 2018.
Managerial Shortlist Begins to Take Shape
Clarke is understood to be open to a return following a brief spell with Barnsley, where he was sacked in March after a dip in form saw the club fall out of play-off contention. His previous tenure at Rovers remains a high point in recent club history, earning him strong backing among supporters.
Also under consideration is former Huddersfield Town manager Michael Duff, who was dismissed earlier this year. Duff brings experience at both Championship and League One levels, having previously led Cheltenham Town and Barnsley. Ex-Northampton Town boss Jon Brady and former Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt are also believed to be in the mix.
Evatt, who helped Bolton to League One promotion and lifted the EFL Trophy in 2023, left the Trotters by mutual consent in January after a poor run of results. His pedigree in turning around struggling squads could appeal to Rovers’ hierarchy.
Clarke’s status as the early favourite reflects a clear appetite to reconnect with a manager who not only understands the club but also delivered tangible success. However, the final decision will be shaped by who the board believes can inspire an immediate return to League One and long-term stability.
Writer’s View
Clarke’s potential return would provide an emotional lift at a time when Rovers desperately need clarity and cohesion. His past record speaks volumes, but the challenge he would inherit is markedly different from his previous spell — with a depleted squad, no head coach, and a fanbase disillusioned by inconsistency. While Duff or Evatt offer modern tactical nous, the pull of a proven hero in Clarke might just be what the Gas need to ignite belief again.
