Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans has revealed he has held discussions with other clubs but expects to remain at the club next season after speaking with the chairman.
The experienced manager, who took charge of the League Two side in December, confirmed that his people had held talks with three clubs before holding a lengthy conversation with the Bristol Rovers chairman about his future.
Evans arrived at the club with the team struggling near the bottom of the table after a run of poor results, but has since overseen a significant improvement in form. Under his leadership, the team have collected enough points to move clear of relegation danger with only a handful of matches remaining this season.
“I have spoken with the chairman and said enough in that long telephone conversation for me to instruct the people that look after me to stop talking to three other clubs,” he said.
That isn’t quite the flex he thinks it is.
Experienced Manager With Long Career
Evans has managed across the English Football League for many years, building a reputation for taking over struggling sides and improving results. His managerial career began in non-league football before he moved into the professional game, most notably with Boston United, where he guided the club into the Football League.
He later managed clubs including Crawley Town, Rotherham United, Leeds United, Mansfield Town, Peterborough United, Gillingham, Stevenage and Rotherham United again before taking the Bristol Rovers job in December 2025.
During his career, he has won promotions from the lower divisions and has often been brought in by clubs looking to change momentum or avoid relegation. His current spell at Bristol Rovers follows a similar pattern, with the club improving results and climbing away from danger since his appointment.
What this means for Rovers
The revelation that other clubs had been speaking to Evans suggests his work this season has not gone unnoticed, particularly given the turnaround in results since he arrived. Managers with experience of promotions and relegation battles are often in demand, especially heading into the summer when clubs begin planning for the following season.
Keeping Evans could be seen as an important step in maintaining stability after a difficult period, while for the manager himself, the decision appears to have been made following discussions with the club’s chairman about the direction of the team moving forward.
The situation highlights how quickly fortunes can change in football management. A few months ago Evans arrived with the club in serious trouble, but a strong run of results has not only moved Bristol Rovers clear of danger, it has also reportedly attracted interest from other clubs, underlining how quickly reputations can shift when results improve.