Stead and Carr join Bristol Rovers' coaching team

Jon Stead has worked in Barnsley's coaching staff briefly with Rovers' new head coach Darrell Clarke

Bristol Rovers have appointed Jon Stead and Rhys Carr as first-team assistant head coaches.

The duo will work alongside head coach Darrell Clarke, who returned to the Gas at the start of May following their relegation to League Two for next season.

Stead previously worked alongside Clarke at Barnsley during his nine months in charge last season.

The former striker, 42, made more than 700 appearances across English football during his playing career including for hometown side Huddersfield Town, Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town, Bristol City and Notts County.

Stead began coaching at Hartford Athletic in the United States after retiring in 2021 and also had a spell at Tampa Bay Rowdies before moving to Oakwell.

Carr previously worked at Rovers with their academy sides for a short period during 2022.

He left to join Wolves' coaching staff as an player development coach and has also worked with the Republic of Ireland's women's side as an assistant, at Sheffield United, Swansea City, Cardiff City and Bristol City.

Most recently the 38-year-old has worked at Coventry City and had a three-game spell as interim head coach when Mark Robins was sacked last November, overseeing two draws and a defeat by Burnley.

"We're delighted to welcome Jon and Rhys to the club, with both arriving with a vast amount of high-level coaching experience within the industry," said director of football Ricky Martin.