Next Bristol Rovers manager: ex-Barnsley boss storms into pole position ahead of Burnley icon

Bristol Rovers are searching for their next permanent manager after making the decision to sack Iñigo Calderón following their relegation to League Two.

A dismal end to the 2024/25 campaign cemented their fate as they finished 22nd in the League One standings with 43 points on the board. Rovers announced Calderón’s departure less than 24 hours after the closure of the season.

“Bristol Rovers can confirm that Iñigo Calderón has departed his position as Men’s first team Head Coach,” the club wrote in an official statement.

“Miguel Llera, who has been assisting in the coaching department since March, has also left the Club. Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to thank Iñigo and Miguel for their hard work, dedication and commitment and wish them both every success in their respective future careers. A thorough process to recruit a replacement is underway and the club will be making no further comment at this time.”

Bristol Rovers relegated to League Two

Calderón was appointed in December on a two-and-a-half year deal, marking his first job as a first team manager. The 43-year-old had previously worked with Brighton and Hove Albion’s U18s.

Rovers saw out a dreadful run towards the end of their relegation battle, returning just one point from their final ten fixtures. Calderón’s last match in charge was a 4-1 defeat to Blackpool, their ninth loss in their last ten.

“This is my time as Bristol Rovers manager,” Calderón wrote in his own statement. “It has been a true honour and pleasure to have been part of this great club, obviously without the results I would have liked and that this club deserves, but still the pride and clear conscience of having tried everything possible to achieve the best.”

Who will be the next Bristol Rovers manager?

Bristol Rovers are now searching for their fourth permanent manager in less than two years. Following the news of Calderón’s departure, it appears that Darrell Clarke has emerged as the leading favourite to take the job. The 47-year-old previously worked with Rovers from 2014 to 2018, and guided them to promotion back up to the Football League in 2015.

Clarke and his Rovers side then achieved back-to-back promotions as they finished third in League Two at the end of the 2015/16 season. He left his role in 2018 after four-and-a-half years in charge, having lost seven of the team’s last ten games. Clarke has since managed Walsall, Port Vale, Cheltenham Town and most recently Barnsley. He was sacked by the latter in March after a poor run of form saw them drop out of the play-off spots.

Other names in the picture to potentially become the new Bristol Rovers manager include Michael Duff, who was dismissed by Huddersfield Town in March, and former Northampton Town boss Jon Brady. Duff spent 12 years of his playing career with Burnley before retiring in 2016.

Ian Evatt has also been mentioned following his departure from Bolton Wanderers. The 43-year-old left the club by mutual consent in January after a poor run of form in League One. Evatt helped the Trotters clinch promotion to League One through the play-offs in 2021. They also lifted the 2023 EFL Trophy after a 4-0 thrashing of Plymouth Argyle.