Former Rovers boss Garner lands coaching job at Southampton

FORMER Bristol Rovers head coach Ben Garner has been appointed as Southampton’s assistant first-team coach.

- Will MURRAY

The 45-year-old started his playing career at Crystal Palace, before eventually being appointed the first-team in 2012 under Ian Holloway, with the Eagles winning promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs in the 2012-13 campaign.

After spells at West Bromwich Albion and ATK in India, Garner was appointed as Rovers’ head coach in 2019, lasting 11 months. In 33 games as the Gas head coach, Garner won six matches, drew eight and lost 19.

Following Garner’s sacking from Rovers in November 2020, he went on to become Swindon Town's head coach in the summer of 2021. Despite being under a transfer embargo at the Robins, he led Swindon to the League Two playoffs, losing in the semifinals over two legs against Port Vale on penalties.

This earned Garner a move to Charlton Athletic before the following season, but he was sacked in December 2022 after only 180 days in charge.