Former manager of Bristol Rovers, Walsall, and Port Vale, Darrell Clarke, is on the verge of being announced as the new manager of Cheltenham Town, with the appointment expected to be made prior to the team’s upcoming trip to face Lincoln City this weekend.
According to information from Gloucestershire Live, Clarke, who has a track record of successful managerial stints, is the chosen successor to Wade Elliott at the League One club following a rigorous interview process conducted this week.
Whether Clarke will observe the match against Lincoln City from the stands or take his place on the touchline remains uncertain.
The 45-year-old previously achieved notable successes, guiding Bristol Rovers from the National League to League One with consecutive promotions in 2015 and 2016, as well as leading Port Vale to a League Two playoff triumph in 2022. His managerial career began at non-league Salisbury City, where he oversaw two promotions from 2011 to 2013.
Clarke’s current challenge is to steer Cheltenham through a difficult League One season, as they have managed only one point from their initial nine games, failing to score a goal.
During his playing days, Clarke was a midfielder and represented his hometown club, Mansfield Town, along with stints at Hartlepool United and Salisbury City. He also had loan spells at Stockport County, Port Vale, and Rochdale.
Clarke’s appointment marks a continuation of Cheltenham Town’s managerial history, with him becoming the 12th permanent manager in the club’s history in the English Football League (EFL).
The team has been under the caretaker management of Kevin Russell for the past week, following the departure of Wade Elliott.
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