Bristol Rovers have confirmed that George Friend will step down from his role as Director of Football at the end of the 2024/25 season, with Ricky Martin set to take over the position.
Martin, who has previously served as Technical Director at Stoke City and Norwich City, as well as Academy Manager at West Ham United, will begin work at The Memorial Stadium immediately. Friend, who has held the role since February 2024, will remain with the club until the season's conclusion to ensure a smooth transition in football operations.
George Friend Reflects on His Tenure
Reflecting on his decision, Friend expressed pride in the progress made during his time with the club.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down from my role as Director of Football at the end of the season. I am proud of the improvements we have achieved together, including strengthening the club’s staffing infrastructure and implementing a sustainable and exciting game model,” said Friend.
He highlighted the club’s strong foundation, praising Head Coach Iñigo Calderón, a talented playing squad, and the integration of promising homegrown players into the first team.
“I extend my sincere thanks to the Board, the staff, the players, and our fans for their support. I look forward to seeing how the club continues to develop and wish Ricky every success when he takes over.”
Ricky Martin Brings Vast Experience to Bristol Rovers
Incoming Director of Football Ricky Martin boasts an extensive career in football operations and strategy.
Spending 16 years at Norwich City, Martin progressed through the club’s structure to become Technical Director before taking on the Academy Manager role at West Ham United. During his tenure in East London, 17 young players made their first-team debuts. Most recently, he worked as Technical Director at Stoke City, where he implemented a long-term growth strategy for the club.
“It is a privilege to join Bristol Rovers as Director of Football,” said Martin. “The work done so far by the Chairman, the Board, George, and the wider team has built a stable foundation for future success.”
He emphasized the club’s exciting young talent, including Jed Ward and Kofi Shaw, and expressed his commitment to supporting Bristol Rovers’ development both on and off the pitch.
“With seven games remaining this season, our collective focus is on securing as many points as possible and climbing the League One table. I look forward to working closely with George during the handover period.”
Chairman Hussain AlSaeed Thanks Friend, Welcomes Martin
Bristol Rovers Chairman Hussain AlSaeed praised Friend’s contributions and welcomed Martin to the club.
“I would like to thank George for his
hard work, commitment, and passion during his time as Director of Football. He has overseen a period of
significant growth
in our football operations, and we are sincerely grateful.”
AlSaeed expressed enthusiasm for Martin’s arrival, emphasizing his wealth of experience and strong reputation within English football.
“Ricky’s career spans over two decades, and his knowledge will be invaluable as we continue our journey of progression and development at Bristol Rovers.”
The transition marks an important step for Bristol Rovers’ long-term football strategy, as the club looks to build on recent improvements and strive for success in
League One and beyond.
