Football Clarke hoping to follow Moyes' example as Everton boss

DARRELL Clarke has pointed to David Moyes' positive impact in his second spell at Everton while explaining why now is the right time for him to return to Bristol Rovers, having officially started work at The Quarters on Monday.

- Dan CARTER

The 47-year-old was confirmed as Rovers' new head coach two weeks ago, just two days after the departure of Inigo Calderon was announced following the Gas' final day defeat at the hands of Blackpool, with relegation to League Two already confirmed.

Clarke spent four-and-a-half years in charge at the Memorial Stadium between 2014 and 2018 and has since spent time in charge of Walsall, Port Vale, Cheltenham Town and Barnsley. Though he had previously suggested he wouldn’t return to north Bristol, the changes on and off the pitch, and perhaps also the example set by Moyes on Merseyside, made it too good an opportunity to turn down.

"Listen, I'd have walked back," the Gas' head coach said in his first press conference at Rovers' training ground.