It has been a busy Christmas period for Director of Football George Friend after he was tasked with finding a new head coach for Bristol Rovers at one of the most hectic times of the year inside and outside of football.
The 37-year-old landed on Iñigo Calderón, with the Spaniard joining Rovers on Thursday before spending the rest of his Boxing Day in Exeter City to watch the Gas.
Speaking at Calderón’s official unveiling at The Memorial Stadium alongside the new Head Coach, Friend admitted that he had been tracking the former Brighton man during his playing days and after his retirement, insisting he is the right man to take the Club in the right direction.
Taking questions from the media, Friend discussed the decision-making behind Calderón’s appointment, the credentials required to be Rovers’ Head Coach, and the January transfer window.
Why have you chosen Iñigo Calderón at the new head coach of Bristol Rovers?
“Calderón is someone who I’ve tracked personally for a long time. I’ve been fortunate enough to have played against him and followed his career as a player. What he’s done at Brighton mirrors what we’re wanting to do here. It’s not a bad benchmark to have.
“Then also tracking him post-retirement as well. Six years of coaching, knowing what his characters like and knowing for me, he’s got that blend. He’s Spanish, from the Basque Country but he’s a very English Spaniard in that sense because he played like an Englishman at times, but then he had that Spanish flair.
“I hope he can bring that and that perfect balance and blend into his management as well. The biggest part, I’ll be honest, the board are so keen on people. They want the right people here, good people, good characters and we certainly have that in Calde, and we really believe in him.
Will there be any new additions to the coaching staff?
“Dave Horseman needs some serious credit for what he’s done. He’s had to step up a number of times when Matt [Taylor] was away and with his family stuff, then now being interim as well and for part of that doing it on his own with his support staff.
“Credit to him for that, he has been superb, and he’ll be a serious aid for Calde as well. Kevin Bond coming back is great. The Rovers fans know him, some of the players and the staff do as well. His experience will be invaluable.
“As it goes forward, we’re not sure. There has been a slight restructure already, but that’s something we’re working towards. That’s where we are at this moment.”
It was a busy summer in terms of recruitment. Will there be any additions or changes to the squad in January?
“We’ve only had a day together, so we’ve not had a full recruitment meeting yet. But we have plans for this [January] window, the summer and everything. A big part of the Head Coach’s role is to be involved in that. We’ll sit down next week and go through it some more.
"I don’t think it will be anything like we did in the summer, and I really hope it isn’t! I don’t think it needs to be. I think it’s more tweaks here and there. I think, from what we’ve seen especially in the last few games, we’ve got a good enough squad to do well in this division. It’ll be a few adjustments here and there, and we’ll be driving up the table, I’m sure.”
What were the fundamentals you were looking for in an ideal candidate for your Head Coach?
“The board are very much about people with drive, and that tends to be associated with coaches who are up-and-coming. The Chairman is not fussy about extensive experience in management; it’s about the person, the character and the determination.
"We know this is a special fanbase and that person’s connection with the fanbase is important as well. Calde, when at Brighton, probably had the closest connection of any player with that fanbase. His journey with Brighton and that side of things marries well with us.
“The board were keen for us to find that drive and passion, and when we spoke to Calde he certainly had that. On the flip side, the candidate had to have the tactical awareness and Calde has been coaching full-time for six years, and he coached while he was playing as well. He has a lot of experience in that sense. There was a mixture of a remit, and the best candidates made the shortlist, and we’re really pleased Calde is here.”
How has the process been of recruiting a new Head Coach over Christmas?
“I won’t lie; it is probably the hardest time to do something. Christmas is at the speed of however much people are enjoying Christmas. Brighton & Hove Albion have been good with us and Calde has been excellent. He has flown to us and missed his own family Christmas to take this job, which already shows his commitment to Bristol Rovers.
"We’re delighted to have him in and there are a lot of games now. Although he won’t have the time on the grass immediately, hopefully there will be the impact on the pitch on Saturdays.”
