Bristol Rovers have confirmed Darrell Clarke’s two new assistant head coaches ahead of the upcoming season

Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter

17:00, 13 Jun 2025

Jon Stead (left) and Rhys Carr (right) have been appointed as Bristol Rovers assistant head coaches(Image: Getty Images)

Bristol Rovers have confirmed the appointment of Jon Stead and Rhys Carr as Darrell Clarke’s new assistant head coaches ahead of the 2025/26 League Two season.

Stead left Barnsley at the end of last term, where he had previously worked with Clarke. The 42-year-old made over 700 career appearances as a player, lining up in the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland and Sheffield United.

Following his retirement from playing in 2021, Stead had spells working in the United States at Hartford Athletic and Tampa Bay Rowdies before arriving at Oakwell.

READ MORE: Bristol Rovers may eventually sanction exits of assets this summer, but it’ll be on their termsREAD MORE: Bryant Bilongo on Bristol Rovers return, Harrogate loan spell and working with Darrell Clarke

Carr, meanwhile, has previously worked at both Rovers and Bristol City. The 38-year-old was lead professional development phase coach at the Gas for six months in 2022 and spent six years with the Robins between 2013 and 2019, mainly as a first-team development coach. He has also held roles at the likes of Wolves, Sheffield United, Swansea City, Cardiff City and the Republic of Ireland Women.

Most recently, the Welshman spent seven months at Coventry City where he was a first-team coach under Mark Robins before taking interim charge of the Sky Blues prior to Frank Lampard’s arrival.

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Speaking on the appointments, director of football Ricky Martin said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jon and Rhys to the club, with both arriving with a vast amount of high-level coaching experience within the industry.

“Work at the training ground has not stopped since the end of the season, with everyone working tirelessly to ensure the club starts pre-season positively. The appointment of two assistant coaches of such quality is another step in this process.”

Bristol Live understands that coaches Dave Horseman and Kevin Bond have both left the club over the summer.

Rovers’ players are due back at The Quarters for the start of pre-season on June 23 ahead of their first friendly fixture against Chippenham Town on July 4.

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