Bristol Rovers are expected to appoint Brighton and Hove Albion Under-18s boss Inigo Calderon as their new manager, Bristol Live understands, a week on from announcing the sacking of Matt Taylor.
Rovers had thought they were close to replacing Taylor last week having identified German former Austrian Vienna head coach Michael Wimmer. However, after seeing a work permit application rejected, the Gas were also unsuccessful when taking their claim to an appeals panel and therefore had to seek alternatives.
Director of football George Friend and the club’s hierarchy had a shortlist of other candidates they felt were strong enough for the job prepared and have since approached Calderon to take up the vacancy.
A former right-back who played for Brighton in the Championship and League One between 2010 and 2016, Calderon, 42, has been the Seagulls’ Under-18s manager since the start of last season. He had previously led the Under-18s side at Spanish outfit Alaves where he had also been an assistant coach for the B-team.
Prior to his coaching journey, the Spaniard had been a scout for Brighton while still playing at Anorthosis Famagusta and Chennaiyin in Cyprus and India respectively.
If completed, taking charge of Rovers would be Calderon’s first job as a senior manager but he has earned major respect in the game and is considered a modern legend at Brighton.
The 42-year-old has a UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification in Europe, but also boasts a degree in Sports Science and a Masters in Sports Psychology.
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It is currently unclear whether Calderon will be in the dugout for Rovers’ trip to Exeter City on Boxing Day but an official announcement is expected to be made within the next 24 hours.
The Spaniard emerged as the new bookies’ favourite on Sunday with the deal understood to have been finalised on Monday.
First-team coach Dave Horseman has been in interim charge since the departure of Taylor and Wayne Carlisle and conducted media duties on Monday afternoon ahead of the game against the Grecians.
The Gas are currently 19th in League One following a 1-1 draw at home to Wrexham on Saturday afternoon but are still only three points clear of the relegation zone.
As well as Exeter, Rovers will travel to Stevenage on December 29 and Cambridge United on January 4 either side of a home clash with Leyton Orient on New Year’s Day.