Bristol Rovers must be wary of Walsall, Barnsley evidence as big Darrell Clarke news confirmed | OneFootball

Excitement is huge but Gasheads will need to be wary of Darrell Clarke record post Bristol Rovers

Darrell Clarke has returned to Bristol Rovers where he enjoyed a highly successful spell during his first term at BS7 between 2014 and 2018. Despite back-to-back promotions and a season of consolidation in League One, Clarke would find himself sacked in December 2018 with Rovers failing to meet expectations.

Clarke initially joined the Pirates as Assistant Manager to John Ward, who, like DC is now, was in his second stint as Bristol Rovers boss. He would then replace Ward in March 2014 with the Gas sitting just three points above the League Two relegation zone. He couldn’t, however, prevent Bristol Rovers from being relegated from the English Football League for the first time in the club's history.

Of course, no one could then predict what would follow, as Clarke and his band of brothers would not only return to the Football League at the first time of asking but would also achieve a remarkable double promotion, returning the Gas to League One.

Clarke boasts an impressive record while at Bristol Rovers and would later go onto achieve his third career promotion when he guided Port Vale through the League Two play-offs. In the same year, Rovers achieved their miracle run to automatic promotion under Joey Barton.

Not all sunshine and rainbows for Darrell Clarke since leaving Bristol Rovers

Clarke’s story hasn't always been sunshine and rainbows, however, as the 47-year-old most recently left Barnsley after what was deemed a surprise sacking by many. The South Yorkshire side were sat in tenth place in League One following a dip in form that left them eight points from the play-off spots by March. The former Premier League outfit always have high expectations and Clarke would only be in charge of the Tykes for nine months before his dismissal.

Similar to the situation at Bristol Rovers, there has been supporter discontent over the direction the ownership is taking the club in and many felt Clarke’s sacking was unjustified. Difficulty managing that situation perhaps contributed to Clarke's sudden exit.

The man affectionately known as DC was also unable to secure safety for Cheltenham Town - who he subsequently left to join Barnsley - overseeing the club's relegation from League One. He was however credited with improving the side who, prior to his appointment, had suffered the worst start to a season in EFL history. His team had been in the bottom four all season and would ultimately miss out on safety by two points.

Darrell Clarke’s ruthless ambition

In 2021, perhaps displaying his ruthless side, Clarke would leave Walsall for Port Vale in a move he would claim gave him the best chance of success. Clarke told his first press conference at Port Vale that the expectations of him didn't match the resources he was afforded.

Speaking in his first press conference at Vale Park, Clarke spoke of his frustration at his previous club: "It is always a difficult situation when you are leaving good people who were running Walsall. I get out of bed to be successful. That’s what I’m about. I want success, and sometimes you have to take a move that I think gives me a better chance of success."

He continued: "Walsall was a fantastic club but the financial predicament, losing best players, having to restart but still expecting to finish in the top seven. Well, I apologise but I am not Houdini."

Clarke left the Saddlers 11th in League One and in a difficult period, having gained only one win from seven. The most concerning thing for the West Midlands side was their defensive form, conceding in 17 straight games prior to Clarke's departure.

Despite mixed success since leaving Rovers, for a multitude of reasons, his record at the Gas speaks for itself and will give him plenty of room to build his squad his way. His gritty, determined, and winning mentality may have arrived just at the right time for Rovers to be able to move on from such a disappointing season.

There will naturally be those who fear that Clarke could ruin his legacy at Rovers, but in truth it would take some truly crazy circumstances for that scale of success and affection to be undone. Still, it’s right that Gasheads be wary of the overall record, particularly Clarke's spells at Walsall and Barnsley.