Tranmere Rovers supporters will be hoping for a far more prosperous 2026/27 season after the club named Darrell Clarke as their new manager.
Former Bristol Rovers and Port Vale boss Clarke has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Merseyside outfit, who avoided relegation to the National League on the final day of the campaign.
"I'm thrilled to be joining Tranmere Rovers," Clarke told the club website.
"This is a club with real history, a passionate fanbase and huge potential, and I can't wait to get started."
Clarke arrives off the back of a tumultuous season for Tranmere.
The club dismissed Andy Crosby in early March just 10 months after he was awarded the managerial role on a permanent basis following a run of 10 defeats from 11 matches which resulted in Tranmere plummeting down the League Two standings.
Rovers were eight points above the drop zone with 11 matches remaining at the time of Crosby's sacking, but his interim successor Pete Wild was unable to galvanise the squad as they lurched deeper into relegation trouble.
Tranmere failed to score in Wild's opening five matches and the team failed to win any of his opening seven. A 3-1 success away at Cheltenham Town marked Wild's only victory, and it proved to be a vital triumph as the Prenton Park outfit avoided the bottom two by just two points.
Owner Mark Palios will be hoping the arrival of Clarke will spark a drastic upturn in fortunes following a third consecutive season in the bottom third of League Two.
However, it's set to be all change with regard to the playing staff at Clarke's disposal as up to 12 players have departed the club following the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign, including forwards Omari Patrick and Kristian Dennis. At present, 14 players are under contract with Tranmere.
Clarke takes on the job in Birkenhead following a disastrous second spell in charge of Bristol Rovers.
The 48-year-old was a popular figure at the Memorial Stadium following a successful first stint in charge of the Pirates, but he was axed following a club record 10 losses in a row in December 2025.
Clarke had previously held managerial roles at Barnsley, Cheltenham Town and Port Vale.
Tranmere are amongst the outsiders for promotion in League Two next season.
Tranmere Rovers League Two 2026/27 odds
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