Darrell Clarke returns

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I love DC and I really hope this is one of the rare occasions where a manager comes back for a second go at a club and smashes it. It hardly ever works out though.

I'm so glad it wasn't Steve Evans though.

 

They said in the press he was favourite for the job, I wonder if he had any say in the retained / released list of players. It sounds as if they have been talking to Darrell for sometime to make an announcement that quickly

Welcome back Darrell, I wish you and the team well for the coming season

I did wonder whether the ex Huddersfield manager Duff might have been in the running

 

I am glad we acted quickly with this. DC now has to assess the team and see what is needed and start getting decent out of contract players signed up before they all go.

 

Apparently been in discussions over the last few weeks

 

This could be the appointment that helps me to fall back in love with the club who to me has lost their identity. I so hope this works out.

 

From the OS

Bristol Rovers is delighted to confirm the return of Darrell Clarke to the Club as the new men's first team Head Coach.

Clarke, who previously led Rovers to back-to-back promotions during a four-year stint as manager between 2014-2018, returns to the Memorial Stadium for a second spell and has signed a three-year deal with the Gas.

The 47-year-old takes charge of the men's first team ahead of the 2025/26 season in Sky Bet League Two, a division he achieved promotion from in the 2015/16 campaign with Rovers.

Clarke’s coaching career has also seen him achieve promotion to Sky Bet League One with Port Vale, as well as spells managing Walsall, Cheltenham Town and, most recently, Barnsley.

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."

Director of Football Ricky Martin said:
“I am delighted to welcome Darrell back to Bristol Rovers. 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.”

Everyone at Bristol Rovers warmly welcomes Darrell back to the Club and wishes him all the best in his time at the Memorial Stadium.

 

I really hope this works out.

Darrell has a lot of credit in the locker with Gasheads so he’ll be afforded some time to get things right, plus he loves the club so those two factors are big advantages over the likes of Duff, Brady, Evans etc.

Also, when he was first with us he was a rookie manager and now he returns as a very experienced one.

After this abysmal season at least the club has moved quickly and decisively.

Welcome back Darrell and UTG!

 

Guessing DC had the final say on the "retained list" as well.

 

Hopefully so. The quicker we get out of this season’s losing mindset and get DC’s ideas on board, the better.

 

It's been great seeing Lee Mansell, Lee Brown and Chris Lines bantering with each other this evening on twitter about dusting their boots off for DC

 

Apparently Jon Stead will be joining us as DC's assistant.

 

Matty Taylor is available on a free transfer he wouldn't bring him back would he

 

Jon Stead, former Ted. He’s currently assistant at Barnsley isn’t he?

 

That would be madness. DC knows how Gasheads feel about the snake.

 

Just thought I would put the cat among the pigeons

 

DC wouldn't do that to us surely?

 

No idea. I know he was there but no idea if he left when DC was sacked or stayed.

 

From Dan Hargraves...

Sounds like there will be more changes staff wise.

 

Again from Dan Hargraves...

My post from yesterday saying I didn't know if Stead was still at Barnsley or not, Dan's comment above shows that he is still currently at Barnsley