Exclusive: Former Bristol City and Southampton youth coach leading candidate for Bristol Rovers role

Former Bristol City academy coach David Horseman is a top contender to join Bristol Rovers as first-team coach, Bristol Live understands, after spending a total of 10 years in BS3.

A hugely respected coach, the Bristolian completed two separate spells at City, the first eight of which saw him as assistant academy director, under-18 coach, head youth development coach and head of training. The 40-year-old then spent just under three years in Watford’s established academy before returning to his hometown in 2017 to become head of coaching, a role he held for two years.

During 10 years at City, Horseman worked with the likes of Bobby Reid, Joe Bryan, Antoine Semenyo, who went on to play in the Premier League, as well as Robins regulars Tommy Conway, Sam Bell, Zak Vyner , Max O’Leary and Cam Pring.

Horseman then swapped Bristol for the south coast in 2019, becoming head coach of Southampton’s Under-21 side. A coach highly regarded for helping to develop young talent, the Bristolian spent four years on the south coast and also experienced a few months as assistant first-team coach towards the end of Saints’ most recent Premier League campaign.

That has seen Horseman work with the likes of Saints regulars and Ireland international Will Smallbone and current Gas goalkeeper Matt Hall to name a few.

More recently, the 40-year-old has experienced his senior managerial bent, becoming head coach at Forest Green Rovers last July. However, he was sacked just before Christmas with the Gloucestershire side struggling in League Two, a form they were unable to resume as they suffered a second successive relegation to the National League. Although, the 40-year-old is one of five permanent managers to have been appointed since the departure of Rob Edwards in May 2022. Since April, he has been working with the FA as a youth coach developer.

With the Horseman still based in Bristol, the appointment would make total sense as Matt Taylor builds a new-look coaching staff. The start of pre-season is fast approaching, with players expected to return to The Quarters on July 1, and Rovers have seen assistant manager Jamie McAllister, manager Kevin Bond and goalkeeping coach Anssi Jaakkola depart during the off-season. Rovers advertised for a new first team manager earlier this month.

The general expectation is that Wayne Carlisle will be appointed as Taylor’s new Gas assistant, with the pair working together in the same capacity at Exeter City and Rotherham United, while a new goalkeeping coach and apparently at least two first-team coaches team will have to be assigned to fill the gaps.

Horseman was spotted at Mem last season, though that’s just a coincidence with Michael Duff also attending a game while off duty to keep an eye on the game.

According to his LinkedIn profile, the Rovers prospect holds a UEFA Pro license alongside a number of other coaching qualifications and 15 years of experience working in professional academies. His passion for youth development matches what the gas is trying to do, making recruiting high-potential young players who can be nurtured and developed a priority.