Steve Evans has been appointed as the new manager of Bristol Rovers with a huge task on his hands to try and turn their form around.
The 63 year old has been out of work since March 2025 when he was sacked by Rotherham, and has impressively since then lost seven stone (44.4kg) in weight after working on his fitness, not just for his health, but with him family in mind.
He returns to the dugout with his first match in charge away to 8th place Crewe Alexandra on Friday night.
Welcome to the Gas, Steve Evans! ⛽️
— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) December 16, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Bristol Rovers FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Evans as the Men’s new first team Head Coach.
Evans has put pen-to-paper on a contract with Rovers until the end of the season and will take charge of the Gas for the first time in Friday’s Sky Bet League Two trip to face Crewe Alexandra.
A vastly knowledgeable coach with over two decades of experience, Evans has over 1000 games as a manager under his belt, including over 700 matches in the EFL.
Across his career Evans has achieved significant success, accomplishing back-to-back promotions with Rotherham United as well as promotions with Stevenage, Crawley Town and Boston United.
The Scotsman has also enjoyed spells with Leeds United, Mansfield Town, Peterborough United and Gillingham.
“It’s fantastic to be here at Bristol Rovers,” Evans said. “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.”
Director Of Football Ricky Martin said: “I am pleased to welcome Steve to Bristol Rovers Football Club. Steve brings a wealth of experience at this level, a deep understanding of the demands of EFL football, and a proven ability to get the best out of his players.
“His teams are known for their work ethic, organisation, and commitment, all qualities which are central to what we are building here. This appointment provides us with clear leadership and direction as we look forward to the coming weeks and months.
“We have moved quickly and decisively to bring Steve in and, while our agreement reflects the current phase of the season, our focus is firmly on the bigger picture for Bristol Rovers. We want to raise standards and establish strong principles at this Club.”
Evans will be joined at Bristol Rovers by Paul Raynor, who takes the position of Assistant Head Coach.
Raynor, who enjoyed a short loan spell with the Gas as a player in 1984, has been Evans’ trusted assistant throughout the majority of his career and has played a pivotal role in the successes at each club.
Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to warmly welcome Steve and Paul to the Club and wishes them both every success at The Memorial Stadium.
https://t.co/FqCiIH2ltC pic.twitter.com/EB25luZumx
— LP (@LP15393) December 16, 2025
The club announced after the Swindon game: “Bristol Rovers FC can confirm that Men’s First Team Head Coach Darrell Clarke and Assistant Head Coach Jon Stead have been relieved of their duties.
“The Club would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Darrell and Jon for their hard work and efforts. Darrell’s legacy at the Club is assured and he will always be warmly welcomed at The Memorial Stadium.”
Bristol Rovers fans protested against the owners during 3-0 thrashing by opponents Swindon. It leaves the Gas sitting 23rd in the League Two table with 17 points from 20 games played.
Bristol Rovers fans protest against owners as thrashing by Swindon makes it 10th defeat in a row
Steve Evans discusses his incredible weight loss and what he did to lose six stone
Here’s how fans reacted after reports that Steve Evans has been appointed as new Bristol Rovers manager with a huge task on his hands…
@GasOnTour: A wealth of experience & plenty of success managing in NL, L2, and L1. Achieved 6 promotions, most recently with Stevenage in 2023, after taking over when the club was 22nd in L2. An opportunity for him to keep us up & earn a longer deal. A good appointment if he’s backed in Jan.
@OxfordshireGas: Actually a sensible football decision imo. Sombreros on the go. Steve Evans on a short term deal suggests to me that there is some changes to happen above to allow a possible new leadership make decisions going forward and where they want to take the club…
@calcology: I don’t see it that way mate. I think this allows both the club and the manager to take stock in the summer, without the commitment already being made. SE won’t want to be in the conference and it means the club won’t have to pay him off if we go down.
@ViscogliosiLuca: Took over Stevenage in a very similar position a couple of years ago & turned them right around with some smart recruitment. Looks a good appointment given the dire form they are currently in
@ollie_louch: Big fan of this won’t lie
@Im_sprouticus: Til end of season. Interesting. on one hand I get it, on the other, smacks of not having a clue what they really want to do. Hopefully he keeps us up and in the mean time someone at the club can work out what we are supposed to be doing
@mattstrong: Well it shouldn’t be boring with Evans #utg
@calcology: I would be fully behind Steve Evans as Rovers manager. He can get us out of either division and Rovers fans will love him. He’s a wanker but he can be our wanker #UTG
@footyscan: Could be the man ⛽
@bristolbluegas: Well, I think he’ll shake it up!
@Joshua_Brfc: Only thing that makes sense. Now let’s all back him and hope we get out this fucking mess!
@LukeShearing11: Undoubtedly the best option of the available managers. Not sure I particularly like him, but he won’t mince his words that’s for sure. Sotiriou and Forde are about the get a rocket 🚀
@Lewispaul__: Good bit of business that.
@SumsUpOurSeason: Rather him than Brady and Bloomfield tbh #utg
@raddersss: Steve Evans tricky blues 😍
@GasDust: Steve Evans has always been desperate for the job here. He’s now got his wish to manage us.
@JonerJones84: Savage would have been my first choice but this is a decent appointment for me and smart only until the end of the season. Let’s hope he can move out some of the shite and bring in a couple. #UTG
@Harrtron: Never been a fan of the bloke but he is, on paper, exactly what is needed tbh.
@ReeceDSport: That’s them promoted next season
@thatchersend: Was my first choice on Saturday night, it won’t be pretty but I have no doubt he will do what is necessary!
@OffTheLineBlog: Oof. This could be absolute cinema. Evans and Raynor going in will certainly put a rocket up a few! 🚀 MUST have had assurances around having budget in January. Operation Stevenage 2.0. Mission 1 is keep #BRFC up. Buckle up, chaps!
@bristolbluegas: Well, I think he’ll shake it up!
@SteveHutsonCGE: Evans has shown incredible character on his most recent health journey. For that alone he deserves to start with respect. I suspect he will also lay into anyone who underperforms and players will be put on notice. #UTG
@joshbennett23_: Steve Evans will give the lot of them a right kick up the ass
