Football / Bristol Rovers
New Bristol Rovers coach Iñigo Calderón watches his new team from stands
Iñigo Calderón travelled to Exeter City on Boxing Day where he watched his new team lose 3-1.
The match came just hours after the Spaniard had been officially announced as the new manager of Bristol Rovers.
Rovers now sit just three points above the relegation places, with Calderón tasked with keeping the Gas in League One.
The 42-year-old, who is known as Calde, became a firm fan favourite as a player at Brighton & Hove Albion where he made more than 200 appearances.
He joins Rovers from his job as manager of Albion’s under-18s having previously been a coach at Alavés in Spain who he had also represented as a player.
His work with Rovers will begin at training on Friday ahead of a trip to Stevenage the following day, with his first game at the Memorial Stadium on New Year’s Day against Cambridge United.
Bristol Rovers director of football, George Friend, said: “I am delighted to welcome Iñigo to the club and have him on board as our new head coach.
“Iñigo is someone I have followed for a long time, both as a player and as a coach, and he already has a thorough understanding of English football and the culture of the game here.
“Iñigo is an excellent coach and what has become obviously clear from our conversations is that he is full of the character, ambition and enthusiasm to not only be the best head coach he can, but to help drive Bristol Rovers to success too.
“We are all excited for what Iñigo will bring to our squad, our staff, and our supporters.”
Main photo: Bristol Rovers
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
