League Two manager sacked as record-breaking losing run puts EFL future in jeopardy

Darrell Clarke has been sacked by Bristol Rovers.

The decision was made hours after a 3-0 defeat to Swindon Town on Saturday.

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Joe Snowdon, Ollie Clarke and Aaron Drinan all struck in the first half to condemn Rovers to a tenth-straight loss.

Following the contest, Clarke’s post-match media duties were cancelled in an ominous sign of what was to come.

“Bristol Rovers FC can confirm that Men’s First Team Head Coach Darrell Clarke and Assistant Head Coach Jon Stead have been relieved of their duties,” a club statement read.

“The Club would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Darrell and Jon for their hard work and efforts.

“Darrell’s legacy at the Club is assured and he will always be warmly welcomed at The Memorial Stadium.

“The process to recruit a successor is underway and the Club will be making no further comment at this time.”

The result left Rovers 23rd in League Two, with only Newport County below them.

Under Clarke, Rovers boasted the worst defensive record in the league having conceded 38 goals in 20 league fixtures.

They have also scored the fewest goals in the fourth tier with 15.

Rovers’ 3-0 loss to Swindon extended the club’s record for the most defeats in a row.

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They broke the record on Tuesday with a 4-0 loss to Barnet, their ninth on the trot.

Surprisingly, the alarming run of results came after a seven game unbeaten stretch in which they picked up five wins.

The last time Rovers tasted victory was on September 27 against Salford City.

Clarke’s axing also came just one day after he emphatically declared he would reverse the club’s fortunes, although he understood the implications of what a defeat against Swindon meant.

“I’ve got no qualms about it, if you don’t win games as a manager, you get sacked,” Clarke said, per BBC.

“Do I think I deserve times and windows? I always will and I’ll be angry if I don’t and upset because this means to me more than any other club than I’ve managed because of the massive amounts of history.

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“I still think I can turn this football club around.”

Clarke was appointed as Rovers boss in May as Inigo Calderon’s successor following the club’s relegation to the fourth tier last term.

It marked Clarke’s second time in charge of the Gas having previously led the team from March 2014 to December 2018.

In that time, Clarke oversaw the club’s promotion from the National League up to League One before his eventual departure.