BRISTOL Rovers have appointed former Southend United coach Graham Coughlan as their new manager on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The 44-year-old has impressed at the League One club during a five-match spell as caretaker manager following the departure of Darrell Clarke in mid-December.

Coughlan has seen the Pirates collect 10 points during that time and the club have moved out of the relegation zone to stand currently undefeated in four matches after Saturday's goalless draw with Burton.

Coughlan joined the Shrimpers as player coach in 2010 and stayed at Roots Hall until leaving, alongside Phil Brown, in January 2018.

Coughlan was first team coach and assistant manager while with Blues and will return to Southend with the Pirates at the start of February.

Coughlan told the club's official website: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club since arriving in the summer and have felt honoured to be in interim charge of such a big football club for the past five games.

“I have made it no secret of my desire to take over on a permanent basis and I am thrilled to be the man the club have trusted to take us forward.

“In the five matches I have overseen the team, along with my experience and love of the game, I believe that I have shown I am capable of building on the great work that Darrell Clarke has done in recent years.

“I would like to extend my greatest thanks to the supporters, staff and board who have been outstanding in the time I have been in charge.

"I’d also like to place on note my particular thanks also to Martyn Starnes for the hard work and professionalism that he has shown throughout this process.

“Together with the supporters, we have already enjoyed some great moments and I can’t wait to create even more."