Bristol Rovers' League One rivals sack boss with ex-Sheffield Wednesday starlet next manager front-runner

Bristol Rovers were beaten 2-1 at home by Mansfield Town over the weekend in what was a damaging result to their League One survival hopes. Romaine Sawyers was on the scoresheet for the Gas against the Stags but they weren’t able to get a result in the end. Inigo Calderon’s side are sat in 20th place in the table.

They are six points above the drop zone with seven fixtures left to play this season. Burton Albion, Crawley Town, Cambridge United and Shrewsbury Town sit below them. Next up for the Pirates is a home clash against Birmingham City on Tuesday night.

Bristol Rovers’ rivals sack manager

Bristol Rovers’ league rivals Rotherham United have decided to sack Steve Evans. The Millers were beaten 4-0 at home to Crawley last time out and that proved to be the final straw for their head coach. They are positioned in 16th place.

The Yorkshire outfit have released an official statement reading: “Rotherham United can confirm that, following a meeting between the Chairman and Manager this morning, the club have parted company with First Team Manager Steve Evans together with Paul Raynor, Gary Mills and Ian Pledger, with immediate effect.

“Steve was re-appointed in April last year, taking charge of 50 games in all competitions during his most recent tenure. Everyone at Rotherham United would like to thank Steve, Paul and their coaching team for all their efforts and wish them well in their future endeavours.”

Matt Hamshaw has been placed in caretaker charge until a permanent successor is found. He will work with Andy Warrington in the interim period. The 43-year-old has previously held a similar role at Derby County in the past.

Who is Rotherham United interim boss Matt Hamshaw?

Hamshaw has emerged as a contender for the full-time role. The Rotherham Advertiser report he will be in the dugout until the end of the campaign at least. His first match will be away at Northampton Town at Sixfields.

The Rotherham-born man started his playing career at Sheffield Wednesday and broke into their first-team as a youngster. He went on to play 74 games for the Owls before spells at Stockport County, Mansfield Town, Notts County and Macclesfield Town. The ex-midfield hung up his boots in 2013 after a stint in non-league at Stocksbridge Park Steels and he has since delved into the coaching world.

Hamshaw was handed his first roles in the game by the Millers before becoming first-team coach under Paul Warne. He later moved to Derby with Warne but left the Rams in February. The Yorkshireman has since been weighing up his next move and has now gone back to the New York Stadium.

He said in an interview with The Star in 2018: “My dad is a mad Millers fan. I always wanted to play for them and he always wanted me to. I nearly signed when Mick Harford was manager but he didn’t even know what flank I played on. It killed me because I know how much it would have meant to my old man. There isn’t a prouder parent now that I’m at the club. His chest is puffed out like a peacock.”