Bristol Rovers have confirmed they have parted company with manager Ben Garner.
The move follows a 4-1 loss to Fleetwood Town on Saturday (November 14, 2020) afternoon.
Ben Garner and Bristol Rovers Part Ways
📰 The Club can this evening confirm that it has parted company with Manager Ben Garner. https://t.co/MnnC5eOMzK
— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) November 14, 2020
Club Statement
A statement from the club reads: “Bristol Rovers can this evening confirm that it has parted company with manager Ben Garner.
“Tommy Widdrington will be taking charge of first-team duties on a temporary basis, while the club commences the process of appointing a new manager.
“The club would like to thank Ben Garner for all his hard work and wish him the very best of luck for the future.
“The club will be making no further comment at this time.”
Ben Garner’s Low Win Percentage
Garner’s exit comes after almost 11 months in charge of the club. They sit 18th in League One and have now lost three of their last four league games. That statistic may look more damning than it seems though, with the three opponents being Hull City (second), Peterborough United (first) and Fleetwood (eighth). That said, clearly, the club are not heading in the direction they want to be and have made the decision to look elsewhere for the future.
It was the 40-year-old’s first spell in a managerial hot seat, having worked his way up as a coach and assistant manager. His overall win percentage at Bristol Rovers had dropped the below 19%, with just six wins from 32 games.
Bristol Rovers’ Immediate Future
Tommy Widdrington, who will take charge until a replacement is found, initially arrived from Coventry City as head of recruitment in May 2018. Widdrington has managerial experience from his days with Salisbury City, Hemel Hempstead Town and Eastbourne Borough.
Bristol Rovers host Chelsea U21 in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, before returning to League One action against Swindon Town on Saturday, November 21, 2020. Swindon themselves were recently forced to make a managerial change, appointing John Sheridan to replace Richie Wellens, who had elected to join Salford City.
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