Steve Cotterill guided Bristol City to both the League One and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy title in his time in charge at Ashton GateFormer Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill has left Forest Green Rovers(Image: Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Former Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill has departed Forest Green Rovers after the National League club opted to terminate his contract following their play-off semi-final defeat last season.

Cotterill spent just over two years in charge at Ashton Gate between December 2013 and January 2016. Having taken over in BS3 with the Reds in the third tier, he guided City to the League One and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy title in his second season, accumulating 99 points in the process.

He then led the Reds into the Championship but after a mixed first half of the season, the decision was taken to relieve Cotterill of his duties following a run of just one win in 12 games. Lee Johnson was the man to succeed him in BS3 and the former midfielder managed to ensure City remained in the second tier.

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Spells at both Birmingham City and Shrewsbury Town followed for Cotterill before he returned to the West Country almost 18 months ago to take over the reins from Troy Deeney at Forest Green.

Despite showing signs of improvement under the former City boss, Rovers were unable to dodge the drop into the National League and ultimately finished bottom of League Two, three points adrift of safety.

In his first full campaign in charge at the New Lawn Stadium, the 60-year-old guided Forest Green to a third-place finish in the National League, with his side ending up 19 points away from Barnet and the only automatic promotion place.

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Cotterill’s side were then beaten by Southend United in the play-off semi-final on penalties before Kevin Maher’s side lost in the Wembley final against Oldham Athletic.

Now, more than a month on from that play-off semi-final defeat, Rovers have confirmed that Cotterill will be departing the Gloucestershire club ahead of the start of pre-season.

In a brief statement shared via the club’s social media channels, Forest Green simply said: ‘Steve Cotterill and FGR have parted company following the club’s decision to terminate Steve’s contract.

‘We wish Steve all the best for the future.’

The date for both the release of the National League fixtures and the first weekend of the season has yet to be confirmed while Bristol City have today learned their schedule for the upcoming Championship campaign.

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