Bristol Rovers manager latest as Leeds United coach ‘keen’ as ex-Crystal Palace and Pompey bosses ruled out

Karl Robinson is emerging as a ‘strong contender’ for the Bristol Rovers job according to reports.

The Gas have been without a manager for more than a week since parting company with Joey Barton on October 26. Andy Mangan has been in interim charge and earlier this week club captain Sam Finley gave his backing for Mangan to be appointed on a permanent basis.

Rovers could have other ideas though as the latest development is that former Leeds United assistant manager Karl Robinson is now a ‘strong contender’.

Darren Witcoop, the Sunday Mirror Sports Journalist has provided an insight in to why he rejected the Bradford City job, and the latest on the Rovers manager search.

He said in a tweet: “Karl Robinson now emerging as a strong contender for the vacant Bristol Rovers job. Robinson recently turned down interest from Bradford as he wants to manage no lower than League One level.”

Witcoop’s statement is backed up by Bristol Post journalist Dan Hargraves. He said that Robinson is ‘very keen’ on the Rovers job and to ‘watch this space’ which makes him a top potential candidate.

Robinson has had 13-years of managerial experience and led MK Dons to promotion in 2015. He was also manager of Oxford United, and took them to within one game of the Championship before being sacked earlier this year.

His longest time spent at a club was six years at MK Dons in which he managed 346 games and had a win percentage of 42.5%, and then at Oxford United where he won 110 of the 274 games he took charge of. His time at Charlton Athletic was indifferent with 27 wins, and 26 defeats in 74 games.

He got back into football coaching quickly after his sacking at Oxford, and worked as an assistant to Sam Allardyce at Leeds United, but could not prevent the Whits from being relegated from the Premier League.

Elsewhere in the search for a new manager, BBC journalist Alistair Durden ruled out on Friday the return of legend Ian Holloway or the appointment of Steve Cotterill.

Durden said in a tweet: “Bristol Rovers manager latest - Ian Holloway will not be returning to the Gas. And it won’t be Steve Cotterill either. You can add Karl Robinson to the list of those spoken to, along with many others reported elsewhere.”