Darren Patterson is back in football following his sacking by Oxford United.

The 36-year-old Northern Irishman is set to be named as Bristol Rovers’ new head of youth later this summer.

Sacked by the U’s at the end of November following a poor start to the season, Patterson is to be handed the task of overseeing the Pirates’ youth development.

Bristol Rovers have been running their youth scheme at Filton College for the last five years, but it is returning in-house from the start of next season.

To comply with Football League funding requirements – which supplies grant aid of around £150,000 a year towards their youth scheme – the club have to employ their own coaching staff and Patterson is expected to officially take over his new role from July 1.

Respected within the game for his coaching ability, Patterson had a successful spell as youth-team coach at Oxford United before two stints as their first-team manager.

The first – in March 2006 – lasted only a few days after the club underwent a change of ownership just after he was appointed, and he stepped aside to let Jim Smith take over.

The second, following a spell as first-team coach, saw him succeed Smith as United boss in November 2007 before being sacked a year later soon after Kelvin Thomas had replaced Nick Merry as chairman.

A year earlier, he was offered the chance to take over as boss of Brentford, but declined their terms.

As a player, defender Patterson had a spell at Luton Town under Lennie Lawrence, who is the Pirates’ director of football.

He started his career at West Bromwich Albion, but failed to make a first-team breakthrough.

He then had spells with Wigan, Crystal Palace, Dundee United and York City before finishing his playing days at Oxford.

He won 17 caps with Northern Ireland.

Patterson said at the time of his dismissal: “I'm proud of what I've done in developing players to help finances, to develop and coach reserve-team players and in twice stepping in as caretaker manager.

“None of all this leads me to doubt the potential and qualities I have.”

Patterson is believed to have been doing some scouting work around the country, but he was not able to take proper employment because he was still being paid by Oxford under the terms of his contract termination, though that is understood to end on July 1.

He was reportedly on a short-list for the Mansfield Town job, which went instead to David Holdsworth.

The Bristol Rovers post will be a first step back on the ladder for him.

Patterson was unable to comment about his new role at Rovers under the terms on which he left United.