How Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans lost over 8 stone as new images emerge | OneFootball

Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans' new look is continuing to attract attention on social media, and he has previously opened up on his weight loss.

Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans will be hoping to lead the Gas to promotion from League Two this season, but his side's impressive form is not the only reason the Scot has been making headlines.

Evans took over at the Memorial Stadium last December, and having overseen a significant turnaround in the club's fortunes, Bristol Rovers are one of the promotion favourites in League Two this season.

Steve Evans has inspired remarkable Bristol Rovers turnaround

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When Evans arrived at Bristol Rovers, the club looked to be in serious danger of suffering back-to-back relegations after a horror club-record run of 10 straight defeats that resulted in the departure of Darrell Clarke.

However, Evans made an immediate impact to ease any fears of a potential return to the National League, and the Gas were one of the form teams in League Two in the second half of last season, with a stunning eight-game winning run in March and April pulling them well clear of the bottom two.

While the poor start to the campaign under Clarke meant that a late play-off push was a step too far, Rovers finished in a respectable 14th place, and it is fair to say that the Memorial Stadium faithful went into the summer with plenty of optimism.

After an eye-catching summer transfer window that saw the arrivals of the likes of Tom James, Ben Purrington, Jack Aitchison and Bobby Kamwa, as well as the returns of Kofi Balmer, Richie Smallwood and Tommy Leigh, many viewed the Gas as one of the main contenders for the title heading into this season.

Rovers were beaten 3-2 by newly-promoted York City in their opening game, but they have since recorded four consecutive wins to surge to the top of the table, and, on the early evidence, it looks as though Evans' men will be difficult to stop.

Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans opens up on incredible weight loss

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After a tough second spell at Rotherham United, Evans has rebuilt his managerial reputation since taking over at Bristol Rovers, but his new look has also attracted plenty of attention.

Evans appeared on Sky Sports on Thursday night as a pundit for his old club Stevenage's 2-1 victory over Luton Town, and many viewers took to social media to comment on the 63-year-old's incredible weight loss.

After arriving at the Memorial Stadium last December, Evans revealed how he had managed to lose eight-and-a-half stones, explaining that he used his time out of management to work on his health after a conversation with a doctor.

"[I am] feeling absolutely incredible," Evans told the BBC.

"It's been a big journey.

"A contribution of static biking, walking the dogs at home and swimming so that journey must continue because I want to see my four-and-a-half-year-old grandson when he's 21.

"It's taken a little while for it to transform me, medically and weight wise, but it's certainly worked.

"Our grandkids stay over one night every week so it's mayhem in our house – there'll be nothing more than me being the Poppy going home on the back of Bristol Rovers winning a game and seeing my grandkids.

"They're already sending me videos of the kids saying, 'Up the Gas'."

Steve Evans has found a new lease of life at Bristol Rovers after Rotherham United frustration

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After his second stint at Rotherham did not go to plan, some questioned whether Evans' best days were behind him, but he has proven that he still has plenty to offer after leading an outstanding revival at Bristol Rovers.

Now fighting fit after his dramatic weight loss, Evans has transformed the Gas from a club that looked destined to drop out of the EFL to one that has an excellent chance of returning to League One.

Of course, Evans will not be getting carried away by his side's strong start to the campaign, but having previously guided Rotherham and Stevenage out of League Two, he will be confident he can add another promotion to his CV with Rovers this season.