Bristol Rovers’ league rivals sack manager and bring in familiar face as swift replacement

Bristol Rovers’ League One rivals Peterborough United have parted company with boss Grant McCann and assistant Cliff Byrne. The Posh have decided to cut ties with the Northern Irishman following a poor run of form.

They have also acted swiftly to bring in his replacement and have turned to Darren Ferguson on a deal until the end of the season. He has now returned for a fourth crack as manager at London Road.

Chairman Darragh MacAnthony has told the club website: “Grant and Cliff have been very professional throughout their time with the football club. Sometimes in football, it just hasn’t worked out. With the squad that we have, at the beginning of January, where we are in the league table is not where we expected and we feel if we are going to give ourselves a chance of a promotion run, now is the time to make that change.”

McCann, 42, re-joined Peterborough in February last year but couldn’t stop them from relegation from the Championship last term. An immediate promotion was the aim this season but they currently sit in 8th place, just a point above Bristol Rovers.

The former West Ham midfielder was handed his first managerial role by the Posh back in 2016 and had a stint at Doncaster Rovers before landing the Hull City job in 2019. His Tigers team dropped into the third tier in his first year but he managed to win the title at the first time of asking.

McCann was then given the chop at the MKM Stadium 12 months ago after the club was taken over by Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali. He now finds himself in the same position again now following his exit from Peterborough.