Former Leeds United, Crawley Town and Rotherham boss takes job at League Two strugglers

Steve Evans has been unveiled as head coach at The Gas following Darrell Clarke’s departure after a record-breaking run of ten consecutive defeats.

Evans, who guided Crawley Town into the Football League and has also managed Leeds United, Rotherham and Stevenage, has been signed until the end of the season and will take charge of the Gas for the first time in Friday’s league two trip to Crewe Alexandra.

Evans said on the club’s website: "It's fantastic to be here at Bristol Rovers. I have had a seven or eight-month break, and I was delighted to receive the call from Ricky Martin to come and meet him and the owners.

“During those chats, it became very clear and obvious that I wanted to take the job.

"Bristol Rovers is a Club that is very traditional. Every time I have brought teams here, I have always said it’s a really difficult place to come. I'm really looking forward to it here. It’s a huge Club, but I'm very mindful of the immediate challenge and I’m looking forward to getting down to work.”

Evans will be joined at Bristol Rovers by right hand man Paul Raynor, who takes the position of Assistant Head Coach.

Raynor enjoyed a short loan spell with the Gas as a player in 1984 and has been Evans’ trusted assistant throughout the majority of his career, including at Crawley Town.

The Pirates are currently 23rd in the League Two table, one point behind 21st placed Crawley Town.