Paul Tisdale: Bristol Rovers appoint former Exeter City and MK Dons boss

Paul Tisdale (left, with head of recruitment Tommy Widdrington) won promotion to League One as manager of Milton Keynes Dons in 2019

Bristol Rovers have appointed former Exeter City and MK Dons boss Paul Tisdale as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The 47-year-old replaces Ben Garner, who was sacked on Saturday after a 4-1 home defeat against Fleetwood.

Tisdale joined MK Dons in June 2018 but was sacked in November 2019 despite winning promotion in his first season.

"There is steady ownership here and there's quite clearly a plan," Tisdale told BBC Radio Bristol.

Tisdale, who spent 12 years at the Grecians as manager before joining MK Dons, will take charge of Rovers for the first time when they face Swindon Town on Saturday.

He added: "I'm delighted to be here.

"It's nice going somewhere where I already feel it suits my skill-set. And I know the club - I've lived in Bath all my life. All round, it's a really exciting challenge for me.

"[Having lots of young players] gives a real platform to build from. It's my job to get the best out of that group."

Rovers' chief executive Martyn Starnes told the club website: "Paul has a vast amount of experience in the game and has several promotions on his CV.

"His ambition and long-term goals mirror that of the club's ongoing strategy, to build a Bristol Rovers DNA.

"His track record of developing younger players is impressive and we believe he's the ideal person to maximise the full potential that the playing squad possesses."

Tisdale takes over with Rovers 18th in League One, three points above the relegation zone and nine points off the play-off places.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the League Managers Association, former boss Garner said he was "very disappointed" to have been relieved of the job.

"My ambition was to build a successful and sustainable football club in line with its vision to recruit and develop young players," he continued.

"A strong coaching and support staff has been built that will help the club to continually progress over the coming years.

"An incredible amount of hard work and dedication has been put into creating a culture, an identity, and an environment from which players can continually improve and the club can now grow."