MX23RW : Monday, December 16 04:56:20| >> :600:175739:175739:

Graham Coughlan thrilled to be named permanent Bristol Rovers manager

The 44-year-old has impressed at the League One club during a five-match spell as caretaker manager.

Bristol Rovers have appointed Graham Coughlan as their new manager on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The 44-year-old has impressed at the League One club during a five-match spell as caretaker manager following the departure of Darrell Clarke in mid-December.

Coughlan has seen the Pirates collect 10 points during that time and the club have moved out of the relegation zone to stand currently undefeated in four matches after a goalless draw with Burton on New Year's Day.

Rovers club president Wael Al Qadi told the club's official website: "From early on in his interim role, we saw something in Graham that suggested he was the right man to take this football club forward.

"We are really happy that Graham has committed his future to the club and we wish him every success here."

Coughlan's first assignment as permanent boss is an EFL Trophy clash away to Northampton on Tuesday ahead of next weekend's league match at Accrington and he is delighted to take the reigns an a full-time basis.

He said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club since arriving in the summer and have felt honoured to be in interim charge of such a big football club for the past five games.

"I have made it no secret of my desire to take over on a permanent basis and I am thrilled to be the man the club have trusted to take us forward.

"In the five matches I have overseen the team, along with my experience and love of the game, I believe that I have shown I am capable of building on the great work that Darrell Clarke has done in recent years.

"I would like to extend my greatest thanks to the supporters, staff and board who have been outstanding in the time I have been in charge.

"I'd also like to place on note my particular thanks also to (chief executive officer) Martyn Starnes for the hard work and professionalism that he has shown throughout this process.

"Together with the supporters, we have already enjoyed some great moments and I can't wait to create even more."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '598145ee-5e9d-4f79-90ec-862eb624f9e6');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Graham Coughlan thrilled to be named permanent Bristol Rovers manager'});

ID:346102: cacheID:346102:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4475:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock watches on during his side's 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League on August 11, 2018
Read Next:
EFL Cup roundup: Cardiff, Huddersfield out
>
Read more about Graham Coughlan Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe19134243222143
2Birmingham CityBirmingham18133234161842
3Wrexham20125330131741
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield19113530181236
5Stockport CountyStockport2096532211133
6Reading199463028231
7Barnsley208662926330
8Bolton WanderersBolton189362829-130
9Lincoln CityLincoln207762625128
10Blackpool197572931-226
11Mansfield TownMansfield187472222025
12Stevenage187471517-225
13Peterborough UnitedPeterborough197393735224
14Charlton AthleticCharlton196671819-124
15Exeter CityExeter197391721-424
16Wigan AthleticWigan196581716123
17Rotherham UnitedRotherham186571920-123
18Leyton Orient196491920-122
19Northampton TownNorthampton205692129-821
20Bristol Rovers1963101728-1121
21Crawley TownCrawley1954102032-1219
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge1945102031-1117
23Burton Albion1926111630-1412
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1932141939-2011


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!