Inigo Calderon admits Bristol Rovers’ season has been a ‘nightmare’

Posted Sunday, May 04, 2025 by PA

Inigo Calderon admitted the final chapter of Bristol Rovers’ season was a difficult watch as they went down 4-1 at Blackpool.

Their relegation had been confirmed before the last round of games and, though they took the lead through Gatlin O’Donkor, they were pegged back by Blackpool before half-time and shipped three more goals in the second half.

Calderon insisted he would like the chance to try to lead the Gas back to Sky Bet League One next term, but admitted it was out of his hands.

“Maybe I was naive thinking we would have a good last day,” he said. “We were competitive and we scored after a mistake, but then we conceded and the second half it was not good. The last part of the game was difficult to watch.

“It’s been a really tough season, we had been doing alright but then we looked so weak after the goal. It’s been a pretty bad season for the boys and for everyone in the club, it’s been a nightmare, very difficult.

“Next week we’ll know what is going on, now is not the moment to talk about these things, they (the board) have to make a decision that is the best for the football club and I would say that will be next week.

“I have had contact with the club and I have to accept whatever happens. I want to be here and I think maybe I haven’t done my job properly and I want to put it right. We need to be better.

“It’s not up to me now, and it’s got to be the best decision for the football club. It’s not about me, it’s more important than what is about me, so let’s see what happens. We have to keep calm, try to think right with no emotions, no bad feelings and no anger.”

While the Spaniard contemplates his future, Blackpool boss Steve Bruce was delighted to finish the campaign on a high, securing ninth place with the victory.

Tom Bloxham had drawn the Seasiders level shortly before half-time, with Albie Morgan, Niall Ennis and Ryan Finnigan all netting to give them only their seventh home win of the season.

Bruce has already begun his preparations for next season, including having difficult conversations with a number of his players.

“We took four of our chances today, which is pleasing, and we’ll go away on a bit of a high, but overall we finished ninth and that isn’t where we wanted to get to.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do in the summer and let’s see what we can do next time.

“I’ve had conversations with all the players out of contract, some of them will be moving on. They were some awful conversations, but I thought it was better to do it that way.

“It could have had an adverse effect, but they’re such good pros they didn’t let it affect them.

“It’s my aim now to take the club where it wants to get to. I’ll be determined to finish that off.

“I don’t know how many years it’s going to take me, but I’m determined to do it.”