'I'll be here' - Steve Evans breaks silence on long-term Bristol Rovers future

Bristol Rovers boss Steve Evans has revealed he is "confident" he will still be in the dugout at the Memorial Ground next season after the Gas mathematically preserved their League Two status.

A comeback victory over Harrogate Town on Easter Monday was the Gas' fifth win in a row in League Two, a sequence of results that's catapulted them up to 15th in the fourth tier and 19 points clear of the bottom two with four matches of the season remaining.

Rovers' current outlook is of a stark contrast to the bleak predicament Evans encountered at the time of his appointment in mid-December.

The Pirates had lost a club-record 10 straight losses and were languishing in the relegation zone which resulted in Darrell Clarke's demise, and Evans was tasked with galvanising the team ahead of a testing period.

The 63-year-old, who had been out of work since he was sacked by Rotherham United last March, was made to wait until New Year's Day for his first victory as they defeated Shrewsbury Town 3-0 at the New Meadow.

Rovers lost six of their next eight, but Evans uncovered the winning formula at the end of February with a 3-1 victory over play-off chasing Grimsby Town. Since that triumph, the Gas have won seven of their next nine, losing only to league leaders Bromley at Hayes Lane.

Hoisting the club comfortably clear of relegation trouble, Rovers supporters are understandably keen for Evans to remain beyond the current campaign, and the former Leeds United and Peterborough United manager has insisted positive discussions have been held about his long-term future.

Evans told Bristol Live: "I think I've always tried to be open and honest with the fans. I had four-and-a-half hours with the Chairman on Saturday in London. And we're nearly there.

"We're as close, as close can be. There's a couple of things that the Chairman and the people that look after me just want to clear up.

"But, you know, the assurances that, before the supporters thinking it's about me, my terms is irrelevant. It was about assurances on resources, and assurances on keeping our best players.

"The one thing I know from speaking to DC, and from speaking to a couple of previous head coaches here under the current ownership, is their word is true to the bone.

"When they say that we have our best players, and if that's not to be the case, I will have the option, whether I want to keep them or not.

"That's what you want to hear as a head coach. So let's see what the next 48 hours bring. But I'm as confident as ever, that I'll be here."

Rovers face Crawley Town on Saturday before fixtures against Tranmere Rovers, Cheltenham Town and Notts County conclude the 2025/26 League Two season.

The club will have ambitions of securing a return to League One next term and Evans is well versed in orchestrating promotion charges, having achieved promotion with five different teams during his managerial career.