Football Calderon out as relegated Rovers begin a summer overhaul

BRISTOL Rovers yesterday confirmed that head coach Inigo Calderon had left the football club following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.

- Daniel HARGRAVES

The Gas signed off from League One on Saturday with a performance that summed up what has been a grim campaign, losing 4-1 at Blackpool, having taken the lead in the first half.

Calderon was appointed as Matt Taylor's replacement on Boxing Day, joining from Brighton and Hove Albion where he had been manager of the Seagulls' Under-18s, and offered promising early signs in his first senior management role.

Performances improved and the Spaniard steadily started to guide Rovers away from the relegation zone. By March 11, they were nine points clear after six wins and two draws from his opening 15 matches in charge.

However, the Gas picked up just one point from their final 10 matches which saw them plummet down the table and into the bottom four with their relegation eventually sealed last Tuesday by results elsewhere.

Bristol Live understands that the recruitment process to find the 43-year-old's replacement is very much already underway as the club seek an instant return to the third tier next term. It also means that Calderon is the third permanent manager to leave Rovers in the past 18 months.

The Gas have also confirmed that coach Miguel Llera, who joined in March, has also departed.

"Bristol Rovers can confirm that Inigo Calderon has departed his position as men's first team head coach," the club said in an official statement.