Pearce's, major gripe in his time as Bristol's Chairman was the lack of support from the Rugby Football Union. "I just don't think the RFU appreciate what the club owners have done," Pearce told the BBC.
"I shall be at the helm until the end of the season. If the person who takes over wants my help then I will hang around, but this club will have to change direction."
According to the BBC, Pearce has invested more than £5million in the five years spent at the Memorial Stadium: "I did the five years I said I was going to do and I have done my bit – it is time somebody else took over."