Inigo Calderon offers latest on his future as Bristol Rovers go down with a whimper at Blackpool

Already-relegated Bristol Rovers ended their season with a 4-1 defeat at BlackpoolSport

Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter

18:15, 03 May 2025

Bristol Rovers head coach Inigo Calderon looks on(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Inigo Calderon has suggested that there should be clarity surrounding his future at Bristol Rovers next week after the Gas went down with a whimper, losing their final game of the 2024/25 season 4-1 away at Blackpool on Saturday afternoon.

Rovers arrived at Bloomfield Road already relegated but made a bright start to the game and took a rare away lead as Gatlin O’Donkor took advantage of a goalkeeping error. Tom Bloxham equalised before half-time ahead of complete capitulation in the second half as the Gas shipped three goals.

It is currently unclear whether Calderon will be entrusted to lead Rovers in League Two next season or if a change will be made in the dugout ahead of a crucial summer of preparation. Regardless, the Spaniard has asked for clarity as soon as possible.

“I think next week we will know everything, what’s going on,” Calderon declared when asked about his future post-match at Bloomfield Road. “Obviously, now it’s not again the best moment to talk about these things. I think the ones that have to make a decision they have to make a decision, hopefully with no emotions and think the best for the football club. I would say next week because it is true that we cannot lose time to prepare everything and that’s it simple.

“I have to have contact with the club. It’s true that I have to accept whatever happens. I want to be here. I think I haven’t done my job properly. I want to put it right. But listen, it is not up to me now. It is up to the ones that have to make the decisions. We have to give them time to make the best decision possible for the football club and because at this moment it’s not about me, it’s about the football club. It’s more important than myself, other players. So let’s see what happens.

“I think we have to be better,” he added. “I think we lack a bit in the final third. I don’t think we were good enough. I think we improved defensively, still conceding chances but it’s true that we didn’t produce enough. It was quite clear that once we lost the two main strikers, we struggle to score goals and that’s been the issue.”

In some ways, it was more straightforward that Rovers already knew their fate going into their trip to Blackpool. Defeat to Reading the week prior alongside a 2-1 victory for Burton Albion over Cambridge United saw the Pirates all but relegated with the Brewers boasting a far superior goal difference. Relegation was mathematically sealed on Tuesday night when Burton drew 1-1 with Wigan Athletic in their game in hand.

However, Blackpool had nothing to play for either with a play-off spot out of reach for the Seasiders. The hosts had a leginess about them at the start as Rovers put themselves into the lead, but once they found the equaliser there was limited quality from their visitors on an afternoon that summarised the Gas’ season.

It has been an extremely difficult two months for the club. While going on a catastrophic run of nine defeats and one draw in 10 winless matches to round out the season, rumours and allegations surrounding how the club is being run behind the scenes have surfaced with supporters asking for communication from the hierarchy.

Asked about the work that needs to be done this summer, Calderon touched on said rumours, saying: “It’s not just the head coach, it’s not just the players. We have to do a lot of things good. There’s been a lot of noise as well. I don’t think that helps. I think that hasn’t been even fair for the ones up there. I think that there’s been a lot of noise that is not fair at all.

I don’t think this is even nonsense what they’ve been saying. I think we have to try to keep calm, try to think right. No emotions, no bad feelings, no anger. It’s about thinking right. Things to do and now’s the time to do these things.”

Inigo Calderon offers latest on his future as Bristol Rovers go down with a whimper at Blackpool

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