Football Seven reasons why it didn't work out for Clarke back at Rovers

AFTER seven months in charge, Darrell Clarke's second spell at Bristol Rovers is over.

- Will MURRAY [e-mail]

He was relieved of his duties on Saturday at 6pm, seven years to the day after he was dismissed from the club during his first stint.

When he left Rovers in 2018, the Gas were 21st in League One - four points from safety. Seven years later, they find themselves in the League Two relegation zone, though, following a club record run of 10 consecutive league defeats.

Clarke remains a club legend, with his back-to-back promotions from the Conference to League One still living long in the memory of Gasheads. Unfortunately, his return to the club hasn't worked, with the real possibility of non-League football again lurking for Rovers.

Given that Clarke was sacked seven years to the day after he was dismissed from his first spell, and his second stint lasted seven months, we have decided to take a look at seven reasons why it went wrong for Clarke during his return to BS7.

THE HANGOVER FROM LAST SEASON CONTINUES

WHEN Rovers beat Bolton Wanderers 3-2 in March 2025, Inigo Calderon’s side were nine points clear of the relegation zone with 10 games to play. It seemed inconceivable the Gas would drop down to League Two after this impressive win against the Trotters, but they took only one point during the last 10 games to finish four points from safety.

A collapse like this has left some existing scars, which appeared to have been patched over after an eight-match unbeaten run in August and September under Clarke. The fragile confidence of the squad returned following the defeat at Walsall, and this run of 10 consecutive league defeats has included conceding four goals against MK Dons, Tranmere Rovers, Crawley Town, and Barnet.

Clarke was brought in to restore confidence in North Bristol, but losing is a habit that Rovers are unable to break at the moment.

RECRUITMENT LAST YEAR CAUSING LONG-TERM ISSUES