Bristol Rovers have brought in former Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic defender Miguel Llera to their coaching staff for the next couple of weeks at least, offering Inigo Calderon further assistance.
Llera, a towering centre-back during his playing career, knows Calderon personally having played alongside the Rovers head coach and also hails from Spain.
The 46-year-old was spotted in Gas training gear inspecting the pitch at the LNER Stadium on Saturday prior to Rovers’ 5-0 defeat to Lincoln City and, being a surprise presence, Calderon was asked about the Spaniard pre-match.
“He’s going to be helping us,” the Gas head coach told BBC Radio Bristol. “He’s another assistant for the staff and he’s more than welcome. I know him personally. I played with him 20 years ago. I think it’s going to be good for us to help more. Every little help is going to be welcome.”
Llera has not signed a contract in BS7 but Bristol Live understands that there is certainly a decent possibility that, if the Spaniard proves to be a good fit, he could eventually be added as a permanent addition to Calderon’s coaching staff.
The Rovers head coach has previously stated on record that he would like to add to his coaching staff if it proves possible having inherited the current set up when he was appointed on Boxing Day.
Dave Horseman joined the Gas last summer as part of Matt Taylor’s backroom staff but was a club appointment while experienced coach Kevin Bond returned for a third spell in north Bristol to offer extra support to Calderon.
Additionally, James Bittner arrived at Rovers last month as their new goalkeeping coach following Scott Brown’s departure.
The Gas also had to deal with the surprise departure of Lee Cattermole after an incredibly short-lived spell in BS7. The former Sunderland midfielder arrived in December with, according to the club’s official statement at the time, “a focus on the development and implementation of set pieces.”
Just days later, the 39-year-old was made co-interim manager alongside Horseman following the sacking of Taylor but then left the club.
According to Elite Soccer, Llera holds a UEFA Pro Licence and has held youth coaching roles at the likes of Chesterfield and was Walsall’s academy manager from 2019 to 2022. Most recently, he has been assistant manager at non-league side Shirebrook Town.