Bristol Rovers sack Darrell Clarke: Steve Cotterill backed to take over

By Tom Carnduff

12:26 · THU December 13, 2018

Steve Cotterill has been backed into the 6/4 favourite with Sky Bet to take over as the next manager of Bristol Rovers.

The former Nottingham Forest and Portsmouth manager has been out of work since leaving Birmingham in March.

Rovers parted company with Darrell Clarke on Thursday after four years in the role. He guided the club to successive promotions from the Conference and Sky Bet League Two.

But, with Rovers currently in the relegation zone, Clarke has left the club after six years at the Memorial Stadium.

A statement on the club's website read: "Darrell Clarke has been a loyal servant of Bristol Rovers Football Club for nearly six years, initially as John Ward's assistant, then progressing to first team manager.

"A role in which he has enjoyed considerable success with promotions from the Conference and from League 2 before consolidating the club's position in League 1 over the last two years.

"This season commenced with optimism and high expectations of a challenge for the play-off places but results and performances have been disappointing.

"After much soul searching and lengthy deliberations it has been mutually agreed that it is probably in the best interests of the club and of Darrell Clarke to seek a fresh way forward. Darrell leaves the club with immediate effect and on amicable terms.

"The board would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Darrell for the hard work and dedication he has shown to the club and the positive effect he's had on players, staff and supporters during his tenure.

"Darrell will remain a friend of the club and will no doubt achieve further success in his career after a deserved break. Everyone at Bristol Rovers wishes him well for the future."

A controversial appointment?

Steve Cotterill had a very successful season with Bristol City in 2015

Cotterill wouldn't perhaps be the most popular appointment with supporters given his history with fierce local rivals Bristol City.

City became Sky Bet League One champions in 2014/15, winning the EFL Trophy in the same season, under Cotterill's guidance. He would also pick up League One Manager of the Year in the same season.

However, despite the previous success, the link to City may make it a difficult situation.

We've seen Ipswich appoint Paul Lambert in recent weeks, who in similar fashion to Cotterill, had history with their local rivals.

Lambert led Norwich to promotions from League One and then to the Premier League the following season, although Ipswich remain bottom of the Championship standings despite the switch in late October.

Rovers' short term ambitions will be staying in the division, and they may need to look past previous clubs in order to find the right man to do just that.