Bristol Rovers chairman confirms manager Darrell Clarke almost joined Leeds United

Leeds United wanted Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke this summer.

Bristol Rovers Manager Darrell Clarke at the end of the match

Bristol Rovers chairman Steve Hamer has confirmed Darrell Clarke almost agreed to take the Leeds United head coach job this summer.

Leeds were strongly linked with appointing Clarke, before the manager agreed a new contract extension with Bristol Rovers.

Bristol Rovers Manager Darrell Clarke

Speaking at a fan forum reported on by BBC Radio Bristol, Steve Hamer admitted that Clarke came close to accepting Leeds United’s offer.

Steve Hamer (@Official_BRFC Chairman) says boss Darrell Clarke was ‘very close’ to joining @LUFC as manager in the summer.
— BBC Radio Bristol (@bbcrb) September 8, 2016

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Leeds had made an approach for Clarke after his impressive record for Bristol Rovers over the past two seasons, leading consecutive promotions into League One.

He fits the mould for a young, talented coach, which is also the category the man who ended up with the job, Garry Monk, would find himself in.

Leeds United manager Garry Monk

At Bristol Rovers, Clarke has stability and is backed by wealthy Middle Eastern owners, and the job security may well have played a factor in staying put, despite the fact Leeds could offer him the temptation of leading a charge to try and get into the Premier League.

So far this season Clarke’s Rovers are closer to the bottom of League One than the top, currently sitting in 22nd place with one win, although have only played four matches while other sides in the division have played six.

Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke