Former Mansfield Town, Peterborough United, Crawley Town and Rotherham United manager Steve Evans is named new Bristol Rovers manager
Former Mansfield Town manager Steve Evans has been named the new manager of League Two strugglers Bristol Rovers.
Evans takes over from former Stags favourite Darrell Clarke who was sacked by the Gas after their weekend defeat to Swindon.
It condemned crisis club Rovers to a tenth straight defeat and leaves them in the League Two relegation zone.
"Bristol Rovers is a club that is very traditional,” said Evans. “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."
Rovers Director of football, Ricky Martin said Evans would provide "clear leadership and direction".
“I am pleased to welcome Steve to Bristol Rovers Football Club,” he said. “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.
Evans, who has managed more than 1,000 games in his 30 year career, replaced Adam Murray as Stags manager in November 2016 before leaving to join Peterborough United in controversial circumstances in Febuary 2018.
He has been out of work since March when he was sacked by Rotherham and has used that time to go on a massive fitness campaign which has seen him lose seven stone in weight.