4 perfect Inigo Calderon replacements Bristol Rovers must consider ASAP | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at four potential replacements for Inigo Calderon at Bristol Rovers.

Bristol Rovers are on the hunt for a new manager ahead of their return to League Two next season.

The Gas were relegated from League One this term following a three-season stay in the third tier, and head coach Inigo Calderon was sacked following their final day defeat against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

The 43-year-old was appointed to replace Matt Taylor on Boxing Day, having impressed during his time in charge of Brighton & Hove Albion's under-18s, but he was only able to win six of his 26 games at the helm and could not guide the club to safety.

Bristol Rovers must now find a new manager capable of mounting a promotion push in League Two next season, which may prove to be difficult with a squad of players that have become accustomed to losing during the 2024/25 campaign.

With that in mind, let's take a look at four potential candidates who could impress at the Memorial Stadium if they were appointed ahead of next season.

Darrell Clarke

It makes sense for Darrell Clarke's name to be linked with the vacant managerial role at Bristol Rovers given his previous success at the club.

The 47-year-old is currently out of work, having been relieved of his duties at League One club Barnsley earlier this year, so a return to the Memorial Stadium could potentially be of interest to him.

Clarke took the Gas from the National League to League One during his previous tenure, so he has experience of winning promotion to League One with the club, meaning he should be under serious consideration for the role this summer.

Jon Brady

Jon Brady is another manager with experience of winning promotion from the fourth tier, having done so with Northampton Town in 2023.

The Australian left the Cobblers in December after the club accepted his resignation, meaning he is available this summer if the Gas want to make a move for him.

However, there could be questions over whether Brady is the right fit for Bristol Rovers given he was Northampton manager during the controversial battle for automatic promotion between the two clubs in 2022.

Michael Duff

Bristol Rovers could benefit from having a manager with experience of winning promotion to League One, and Michael Duff is another coach who is available this summer with League Two success on his CV.

The 47-year-old won the title in the fourth tier with Cheltenham Town in 2021, before having spells at Barnsley, Swansea City and, most recently, Huddersfield Town, where he was sacked earlier this year.

Duff could potentially be tempted to drop back into League Two with Bristol Rovers to try and raise his stocks with another promotion after being sacked by his previous two clubs, but it would be no surprise if there was competition from other EFL clubs in search of a new head coach if the Gas were to register an interest.

Steve Evans

Steve Evans is the final name on this list, making it four potential candidates who know what it takes to win promotion from League Two.

The Scot guided Rotherham United into the third tier twice between 2012 and 2014, before he finished runner-up in League Two with Stevenage in 2023.

Evans, who was sacked by Rotherham in March, was full of praise for the Gas earlier this season, so he could well be keen on a move to the Memorial Stadium this summer.