Steve Evans Takes Charge at Bristol Rovers with a Focus on Fitness and Survival
When Steve Evans received the call from Bristol Rovers' management to become their new head coach, he made one request: a hotel with a swimming pool.
This request was not merely a luxury; it was essential for Evans, who swims 70 to 80 lengths daily as part of his fitness routine. Since stepping away from the dugout at Rotherham United eight and a half months ago, the 63-year-old has shed an impressive eight and a half stone.
Evans has transformed his health with the help of a specialist team, incorporating daily swimming and cycling into his regimen, alongside a strict diet. "One of my conditions when I arrived in Bristol was that they find me a hotel with a swimming pool until I secure an apartment," Evans shared with BBC Radio Bristol. "They thought that was quite extravagant, but it simply allows me to maintain my morning routine before coming to work at six."
Throughout his four-decade career in football, Evans has moved from club to club. After leaving Rotherham in March, he took some time to focus on his health after a conversation with a doctor. "I’m feeling absolutely incredible," he remarked, reflecting on his transformative journey. "It’s been significant, incorporating biking, walking my dogs, and swimming. I want to be around to see my four-and-a-half-year-old grandson when he turns 21."
Evans recalls how a friend had told him that becoming a grandfather would change everything. "It took some time for it to impact me, both medically and in terms of weight, but it has certainly worked," he noted. "Our grandkids stay over once a week, which creates a lively atmosphere in our home. Nothing would make me happier than celebrating a Bristol Rovers victory and spending time with them. They’re already sending me videos cheering, ‘Up the Gas!’"
While he acknowledges his weight loss might influence his brash managerial style, he remains focused on the task at hand.
'We have enough time'
Evans steps into a Bristol Rovers team struggling at the bottom of the league. The club recently suffered a record tenth consecutive league defeat against Swindon, leading to the dismissal of manager Darrell Clarke and leaving them in the relegation zone.
The primary goal of Evans' appointment is straightforward: to keep the club in the Football League. He has agreed to a contract only until the end of the season, stating, "I don’t want to manage in the National League; I’ve made that clear to several clubs that approached me recently. My job is to address the issues and ensure Bristol Rovers remains part of the EFL."
Having previously rescued teams from relegation at Rotherham, Leeds, and Stevenage, Evans believes there is ample time to rectify the situation. "We have enough time; there are still five or six months left in the season," he asserted.
Despite the team's poor goal difference and only four goals scored in their last ten matches, Evans has offered the players a "clean slate" with clear expectations: "If you don’t run, you don’t play." He expressed excitement about the squad's potential, noting, "On paper, they look good. In my first meeting, I reminded the players of their capabilities, but victories aren’t achieved on paper; they require heart, desire, and passion."
His immediate priority is to stabilize the team through the busy Christmas schedule, starting with a match against Crewe Alexandra, followed by games against Bromley, Barnet, and Shrewsbury Town. He also assured that the club would have funds available during the transfer window to enhance the squad. "The chairman, the family, and Ricky [Martin, director of football] have all assured me that I will have the opportunity to make signings," he stated. "However, player performances will influence our market activity since those who underperformed under Clarke may excel under my management."
Listeners can tune in to the full interview with Steve Evans on BBC Radio Bristol's 'Having a Gas' on Thursday, December 18, from 18:00 to 19:00 GMT.