Very disappointing news depending on which side of the fence you sit on of course. Club statement on the OS... https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2018/december/13.12.18-dc-statement/ Darrell Clarke has been a loyal servant of Bristol Rovers Football Club for nearly six years, initially as John Ward’s assistant, then progressing to First Team Manager. A role in which he has enjoyed considerable success with promotions from the Conference and from League 2 before consolidating the Club’s position in League 1 over the last two years. This season commenced with optimism and high expectations of a challenge for the play off places but results and performances have been disappointing. After much soul searching and lengthy deliberations it has been mutually agreed that it is probably in the best interests of the Club and of Darrell Clarke to seek a fresh way forward. Darrell leaves the Club with immediate effect and on amicable terms. The Board would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Darrell for the hard work and dedication he has shown to the Club and the positive effect he’s had on players, staff and supporters during his tenure. Darrell will remain a friend of the Club and will no doubt achieve further success in his career after a deserved break. Everyone at Bristol Rovers wishes him well for the future.
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I am so very sad DC was the best manager Bristol Rovers have had in a very long time. It will be very interesting to see if the new manager is backed in the transfer window. Time to give serious consideration as to whether a season ticket will be got next year. I wonder which consistent failure we will employ now or whether a new kid on the block will be given a chance
Pretty gutted to be honest, partly because DC's been a great manager for us and partly because I can't stand a return to the toxic days of Buckle etc. I think the board should have stood behind DC for the season, but perhaps we don't know the full picture. I was quite surprised when DC said we now have a mid table budget - so in other words, the board have put money in but DC simply hasn't spent it wisely. I think he would probably have turned things around and kept us up. I also think that a few of these players needed to go before the manager was dismissed. Paul Hurst might be a good choice, particularly if he can get the best out of the likes of Payne and Rodman. But I really fear another period of instability.
Another club statement..... Marcus Stewart has also gone! https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2018/december/13.12.18-coughlan-charge/ With Darrell Clarke departing his role as Manager of Bristol Rovers FC, Graham Coughlan will take temporary charge of the team commencing with the game at Sunderland on Saturday. Coaches Chris Hargreaves and Brian Dutton will also provide their support to the first team. Assistant Manager Marcus Stewart has asked to be released from his contract and the club have reluctantly agreed, therefore he leaves by mutual consent. The club would like to extend its thanks to Marcus for his service and wish him all the best for the future. The Board is expecting substantial interest in the vacant Manager’s role and an appointment will be made as soon as practicable.
With Marcus also asking to be released from his contract I believe that the amount of loyalty he had is beginning to show. Thanks to DC and Marcus Stewart for all they have done for Bristol Rovers
CJS I think he was Steve Yates replacement was defensive coach at Southend He played for Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday
I don't know who he is either. How old is he? Can he still score goals - we need a striker! Could be a prolific goal scoring player manager! Nothing this club does surprises me any longer. Cant believe DC and MS are both gone in one fell swoop - I fear the club will rue this day for years to come, but there's absolutely sod all we can do about it now. I sincerely hope our owners have got a plan B up their sleeve, but I fear they haven't, in fact come to think of it, their plan A didn't turn out too well, so I'm not overly optimistic.
Don't see why Stewart had to ask to leave. Probably didn't want the responsibilty of the position once DC was going. No loyalty or commitment. Yes we were going backwards but I don't know who could knock this lot into shape.
Bristol BR there is a little info on Coughlan above. He is 44yrs old played for 20yrs playing for 10 different clubs. According to Bristol live Steve Cotterill is favourite to get the job
Steve Cotterill will keep you up and with the right backing could eventually take you further, but can you afford him ?
Graham Coughlin played for us for several years as a center back. Partnered our current deputy manager Paul Wotton in a very successful team. We won two promotions in 3 seasons into the championship with him in the team and he was actually quite a prolific scorer from set pieces with double figures at least in one of the seasons. Might even have been our top scorer for one of them. Still well remembered here as a player but I don't think his managerial time has been that brilliant. There was a suggestion he was coming back managerialy during our financial meltdown but it didn't happen. Think he has only been assistant manager elsewhere.
I honestly would fall out of love with Rovers and would find it very difficult to go to games if he was in charge. People want Holloway too. Not me. I like him. I like him a lot but he is past management I feel. Maybe a coach but he is better as a columnist for the local rag. I like the Paul Hurst shout the other day. He knows how to work on a small budget. Or not budget.
Well he wouldn't get any backing from the shower in charge. Can we afford him. Absolutely not! We don't need such a useless incompetent!!!
Nichols is stealing his income from us pretending to be a striker. And now his major lack of goals has costed DC his income.
