In a stunning turn of events, Lee Cattermole has been given the top job at Bristol Rovers on an interim basis, and we’ve taken a look at what lies ahead for the former Sunderland man.
Just last week, Lee Cattermole was hired by Bristol Rovers as part of their backroom staff. It was a big deal for the former Sunderland man, taking his early steps as a coach.
We had suggested Sunderland may have missed a trick not giving Cattermole a job themselves, but it seems things have moved very quickly indeed since that initial appointment.
Four days after being hired as a coach, Cattermole has been installed as Bristol Rovers’ caretaker manager in the wake of Matt Taylor’s departure on Monday.
Predicting the results of Bristol Rovers’ next five games with Lee Cattermole
It remains to be seen just how long Lee Cattermole will be in the hot seat for the League One side, but we’ve taken a stab at predicting how the next five games will go and what that could mean for his long-term future.
Wrexham (H) – December 21, 2024
Bristol Rovers are currently 20 points and 17 places behind Hollywood’s favourite football club as things stand, and even home advantage will do little to give Cattermole a positive start to his time as interim boss.
Wrexham have registered four straight 1-0 wins, and should have too much for Bristol Rovers to deal with at the weekend.
Prediction: Bristol Rovers 0-2 Wrexham
Exeter City (A) – December 26, 2024
Exeter City are now five league games without a win, and Cattermole will surely fancy his chances in this one. Going away from home is never easy, but Bristol Rovers can give their fans a late Christmas present with a win here.
Prediction: Exeter City 1-2 Bristol Rovers
Stevenage (A) – December 29, 2024
Taking on a team as inconsistent as Stevenage could present some concerns for Bristol Rovers, especially with the away trip to Broadhall Way. It’s hard to know which version of Stevenage will show up, but Bristol will be hoping to bring some momentum in from Boxing Day.
Prediction: Stevenage 2-2 Bristol Rovers
Leyton Orient (H) – January 1, 2025
Leyton Orient have been just about as poor as Bristol Rovers this season, and if Cattermole is still around by New Years’ Day, this is a game he and his players simply have to win if they want to steer clear of this relegation battle.
Expect a gritty, messy battle, with very few chances, and both teams desperately scrapping for possession. Luckily, Bristol Rovers can just about clinch it at the Memorial Stadium.
Prediction: Bristol Rovers 1-0 Leyton Orient
Cambridge United (A) – January 4, 2025
By January 4, who knows where Bristol Rovers will be? If we stay on the positive side of things, we can expect Cattermole to have guided the club to a three-match unbeaten run which could lift them away from the battle at the bottom.
Cambridge United, meanwhile, will likely still be stuck down there, and will be prime targets for a resurgent Bristol Rovers team.
Prediction: Cambridge United 1-2 Bristol Rovers
Can Lee Cattermole get the Bristol Rovers job full-time?
It’s difficult to know whether Cattermole has the credential to take on the job full-time, but clearly there was some form of planning involved in bringing him in just days before the Bristol Rovers manager was relieved of his duties.
So, if the club’s board already like him, and if he can get the results we predict he could and should, then there’s no reason he won’t be handed the role permanently.
All the best to him, and hopefully he one day ends up as part of the Sunderland coaching staff.