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Bristol Rovers confirm the appointment of Brighton legend as their new head coach

Bristol Rovers confirm the appointment of Brighton & Hove Albion legend Iñigo Calderón as their new head coach Iñigo Calderón.

The League One outfit bring in Calderon, a former player for the Seagulls, who has most recently been the manager of Brighton’s Under-18s team since the start of last season.

Lee Cattermole has left the club and his role as a first-team coach, after he was in interim charge alongside Dave Horseman following the departure of previous boss Matt Taylor.

They currently sit 19th in the third tier, with 22 points from 20 games played, and are just 3 points above the drop zone, and 9 from the playoff places, ahead of their Boxing Day clash away at Exeter City.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Bristol Rovers is delighted to announce the appointment of Iñigo Calderón as the Club’s new men’s first team Head Coach.

Calderón has penned a two-and-a-half year deal with Rovers. The Spaniard will be in attendance at St James’ Park to watch his new side play Exeter City on Boxing Day before beginning work with the squad at The Quarters Training Facility on Friday.

The 42-year-old joins the Gas after a spell managing Brighton & Hove Albion’s U18s and previously worked as a coach with Deportivo Alavés.

Prior to coaching, Calderón enjoyed an illustrious playing career which included six years in the EFL Championship and League One with Brighton & Hove Albion, a period in which he played over 200 games. He also spent two seasons with Alavés in the Segunda División and a year in each the Cypriot First Division and the Indian Super League respectively.

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.”

Calderón will be supported in the men’s first-team coaching department by David Horseman and the returning Kevin Bond. Lee Cattermole has also departed the Club.

Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to welcome Iñigo to the Club and wish him every success at The Memorial Stadium.

Here’s how fans reacted as Bristol Rovers confirm the appointment of the Brighton legend as their new head coach…

@dderby2: Great news and bringing Bond back as a coach. Looking forward to seeing how this develops- hopefully attacking and entertaining play.

@thatchersend: Welcome IC! 👏 let’s get behind the guy C’MON ROVERRRRSSS!!!

@gasgirlm: Welcome Boss. Time to show him the gas spirit 💙⚽️

@Joshua_Brfc: On a real who gives a fuck if you were a JB enthusiast or not. All behind him and the team now, Uppa Gas.

@SimonGould51216: Chuffed to bits with this good luck Inigo!! #UTG

@daverovers: This should be great welcome to the Gas family

@mlcates4: All Basque ain’t we 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️

@brfcfootball: playoff charge starts today🇪🇸⛽️

@Bluedog1883: Kevin Bond coming back as well, didn’t see that one on the horizon but 👍

@Ford4Caz: Not quite sure why but this definitely feels exciting! Can’t wait to hear from him 💙

@cazjmay: Bienvenido!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸💙💙💙

@robmc5herry: fair shout! Exciting times!

@jbrain88: Sounds like a good appointment! And nice to see Kevin Bond coming back, he’s had more resurrections than Jesus

@jessxnoble: Kevin Bond can’t escape us can he 😂😂😂

@M_GD_01: ongi etorri ingo calderon

@chelseayouth: If you wanted a reflection of how hard it is for young English coaches to get a proper opportunity, here’s a good EFL job going to someone who has less than 18 months experience in English academy football, having previously worked in Spain’s fourth tier as an assistant.

@stevepeles11: Absolutely delighted. Good luck Inigo ⚽️🇪🇸

@ThickBlueLine: Love that man. Hope he’s a roaring success.

@1MichaelWillett: rolling the dice. Just how I like it. He’s got a massive task to regain momentum in the short term. Most importantly, and together with infrastructure improvements, it’s setting the path for the clubs longer term future to. Best of luck Iñigo, I’m right behind it. UTG.

@DanMindInSport: Welcome to the gas! Something a bit different. No preconceptions. Gonna get on the ride and hope it’s a good one. Let’s get behind the new gaffer UTG!!!

@1_henshall: Basque Country Gas ⛽️ buzzing with this one. Could fall on its ass but all articles/reviews seem positive on this guy #UTG 💙

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