Prior to the 2024–2025 season, Bristol Rovers announced their new coaching staff on Monday at The Quarters during preseason.
After joining the team on a part-time basis in February as an independent coach for player development, Wayne Carlisle has stayed on as Rovers’ new assistant manager following Jamie McAlister’s resignation, which the Gas have today formally announced. Carlisle, a former Rovers player, collaborated with Matt Taylor at Exeter City and Rotherham United.
David Horseman, a Bristolian who previously spent ten years working in Bristol City’s academy, has joined the squad as a first-team coach. Horseman was previously the manager of Southampton B and Forest Green Rovers.
During his initial eight-year tenure at City, Horseman—a highly esteemed coach in the English game—held the positions of assistant academy manager, under-18s manager, and lead youth development phase coach. After that, he came back in 2017 to take over as head of coaching, and in 2019 he joined Southampton.
Horseman spent his final four years on the south coast, leading the first team when the Saints were demoted from the Premier League. The previous season, he managed Forest Green’s first squad for the first time.
Another newcomer with ties to the southwest is the 39-year-old Scott Brown, the head goalkeeper at Cheltenham Town. During his playing career, the former goalkeeper also played for Port Vale, Wycombe Wanderers, and Aberdeen. He has also previously collaborated with Taylor at Rotherham and Exeter.
In other news, Andrew Proctor, whose resume includes positions at Bristol City, Exeter, and Oxford United, has joined the Gas as head of medical. After serving in that capacity for six years, Proctor departed the Robins last month on an interim basis. Liam McCartan, who formerly worked at Swindon Town, has joined Rovers as head analyst. He had previously been employed by the Irish FA and Stoke City.
Adam Mahoney, the previous head of statistics and analysis, left to take a position as assistant director of recruiting at Huddersfield Town, and McCartan was appointed in his place. Mahoney, who had previously worked in the analytical department, was promoted into the position as a member of the club’s new recruitment team in February.
In addition to the appointments, the club has formally confirmed the exits of McAllister, Kevin Bond, and Anssi Jaakkola. After serving as a member of the coaching staff during the Gas’ League Two promotion season, Bond returned to Rovers in November as a first team coach on a part-time basis. His primary goal was to support Andy Mangan, who was then the temporary manager. Bond had previously worked for Tottenham, Newcastle, and Southampton.
In addition, McAllister was appointed assistant manager to Taylor in December, while Jaakkola, who closed his playing career with a four-year stint in BS7, was appointed goalkeeping coach last summer.
