Francis happy to be home

Gerry Francis (second from right) says he's glad to be back

New Bristol Rovers boss Gerry Francis claims he will have no problems working within the club's tight budget after getting a taste for wheeling and dealing at QPR.

Francis was forced to scour the non-leagues looking for new talent when the London club went into administration last season and insists a lack of cash at his new club will not cause him any concern.

"If there's no money available at Rovers that doesn't worry me, I've had a similar position at QPR," said Francis, who has agreed a one-year deal with the Pirates.

"I took on players like Jermaine Darlington, Stuart Wardley and I got Peter Crouch for £60,000 and now people are talking about him as being worth £1m."

Everybody knows I've had a great rapport and a great feeling for this club

Gerry Francis

Francis has returned to the club he first managed between 1987 and 1991 and led them to the old Division Three title in 1990.

However, his main task this time around will be to restore Rovers to Division Two following their relegation last season.

The former England captain has taken the job last filled on a permanent basis by current QPR boss Ian Holloway, who took over at Loftus Road in March as Francis' replacement.

"I turned down a new contract at QPR and turned down two other offers from other clubs," said Francis.

"But Geoff and the board members here came and asked me if I would come and speak to them which I've done.

"Geoff played a great part in me changing my mind. I many ways I have to look back to last time I was here.

"This club and this board gave me the chance to kick-start my career as a manager and now I've got an opportunity to come back and help them out again and sometimes you don't get that opportunity."