Bristol Rovers End Manager Search With Iconic EFL Figure Appointed

Iconic EFL Gaffer Named New Gas Boss

Bristol Rovers have been in the hunt for a new manager since the timely dismissal of Darrell Clarke on Saturday afternoon, following a run of 10 straight defeats in EFL League Two that has left The Gas inside the relegation zone, threatened with a drop out of the EFL tiers.

Clarke led Rovers to successive promotions back during his first spell in charge in 2015 and 2016, but was unable to turn the tide of a team that was relegated out of League One last season. With the club nosediving towards National League football next season, a change was made by the Bristol Rovers hierarchy.

Names such as Robbie Savage had been thrown around in the conversation as to who would replace Clarke, who won play-off promotion with Port Vale back in 2022 and was sacked by Barnsley last season after a poor run of form.

Now, though, it appears that The Gas have made their decision on who is to lead the club away from a drop into the National League, with Bristol Rovers ready to appoint their fifth permanent manager in just the two years since the Kuwait-based AlSaeed family purchased a controlling stake in the club from previous owner Wael Al-Qadi.

Steve Evans Set For Bristol Rovers Hot-Seat

As first reported by Pete O'Rourke, Clarke's successor has already been identified by the Gas higher-ups, with experienced manager Steve Evans set to take up the mantle at Memorial Stadium in his place.

A big name in EFL management, Evans needs little-to-no introduction after an experienced run through all levels of the EFL over his career. He started off with Boston United in the early 2000's, but cut his teeth as a gaffer after taking Crawley Town from non-league football into the EFL.

Understand Bristol Rovers have appointed former Rotherham boss Steve Evans as their manager on a deal until the end of the season. #BristolRovers pic.twitter.com/ul4R2Ex5UO

— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) December 16, 2025

The Scotsman has held the reins at many clubs across the EFL, including Leeds United, Peterborough United, Mansfield Town, Gillingham, Stevenage and, most recently, Rotherham United with whom he was undertaking his second stint in their dugout. He left his post at the New York Stadium after just under a year in charge of the Millers, with League One results far from going his way in South Yorkshire.

Evans is now set for a move back into a managerial capacity after nine months away from the sport, and his task will be to push the Gas up the table and away from danger - his first bout is set to be a clash with Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road.