We asked AI to name Bristol Rovers' next three managers - this was its record-breaking response

Bristol Rovers’ decision to part ways with Matt Taylor and replace him with Iñigo Calderón marked their fifth managerial change in five years and their third permanent head coach since returning to the third tier of English football.

The Pirates have experienced their fair share of ups and downs over the last 10 years and now Calderon is tasked with steering the team to safety ahead of the likes of Burton Albion, Cambridge, Crawley and Shrewsbury. This week’s 0-0 draw away to Shrewsbury marked a rare clean sheet on the road after four consecutive defeats with most fans knowing that the team’s form at the Memorial Stadium will be pivotal to the side’s hopes of survival.

Calderón will hope to have a long and successful tenure in the Bristol Rovers dugout as aims to forge a successful career as manager after stints with the Brighton academy and work as assistant manager to Spanish side Alaves. But what does the future hold for Bristol Rovers on the managerial front? Using our Crystal Ball, otherwise known as AI’s Twitter Grok tool, we take a look at the next three changes at the Memorial Stadium.

1. Gary Rowett (2026-2029)

Inigo Calderon is expected to succeed in his quest to keep Bristol Rovers in League One this season and is predicted to remain in the dugout for one full term, with the Pirates hovering around mid-table or close to the play-off places, according to AI. However, by 2026 the club’s Kuwait-led owners are expected to name a more experienced manager with the aim of getting the club into the same division as their Bristol rivals.

AI explains: With Calderon gone, Bristol Rovers might seek an experienced hand to stabilize and elevate the club. Gary Rowett, who was strongly linked with Rovers in December 2024 before joining Oxford United, could be a prime candidate by mid-2026.

Assuming his stint at Oxford concludes—perhaps after a successful promotion to the Championship or a sacking due to a dip in form—Rowett would be available and appealing. At 52 in 2026, he brings a wealth of EFL experience (Birmingham City, Millwall, Derby County) and a reputation for organizing teams and delivering results, often in the playoff conversation. His pragmatic style could suit a Rovers side needing structure after Calderon’s tenure.

2. Andy Mangan (2029 - 2032)

Andy Mangan, who won eight points out of a possible 15 as caretaker between October and December 2023, is expected to take on the role full time after Gary Rowett’s departure. The 38-year-old, who is currently a coach at Stockport County is expected to be either a bold appointment to refresh the team in the Championship or a gamble to ignite a promotion push.

AI explains: Mangan has been building his coaching credentials as an assistant at Stockport County, contributing to their League Two title in 2023/24 and strong League One performances since. By 2029, at age 43, he might be ready to step into his first permanent managerial role.

His attacking philosophy, honed under Dave Challinor, and his connection to Rovers (where he impressed as caretaker with four wins in seven games) make him a fan-friendly pick. If Rovers are in the Championship by then, he’d be a bold appointment to refresh the squad; if still in League One, he’d be a gamble to ignite a promotion push.

3. Emma Hayes (appointed 2032)

AI predicts an increase in female managers in the EFL during the 2030s. It suspects Bristol Rovers could have the ambition to target one of the WSL’s most successful managers in former Chelsea Women’s boss Emma Hayes.

AI explains: Fast-forward to 2032, with Mangan departing after a mixed tenure—say, a promotion followed by relegation or a playoff near-miss. Bristol Rovers, now possibly back in League One or fighting to stay in the Championship, might opt for a high-profile, outside-the-box hire.

Emma Hayes, one of the most successful managers in women’s football, could be an intriguing choice. By 2032, Hayes, then 55, might be looking for a new challenge after her transformative stint with the USWNT (which began in 2024) and her legendary tenure at Chelsea Women (2012-2024). Her expertise in possession-based, attacking football and her ability to manage high-pressure environments could translate to the men’s game, especially at a progressive club like Rovers under ambitious ownership.

While rare, women managing in men’s football isn’t unprecedented (e.g., Hannah Dingley’s interim stint at Forest Green Rovers in 2023), and Hayes’ pedigree could make her a trailblazer.

Read more: Bristol Rovers, Cambridge United and Burton's relegation battle outcome decided in new final table forecast