Rotherham United Encouraged to Consider Former Sheffield United Coach Following Mat Sadler Rejection
Rotherham United’s preparations for life in League Two continue to face uncertainty after their search for a new head coach suffered another setback. Following a disappointing campaign that ended in relegation, the Millers are still without a permanent manager as pre-season rapidly approaches.
The South Yorkshire club endured a miserable 2025/26 season, finishing 23rd in the League One standings and ending the campaign 11 points adrift of safety. The relegation marked yet another difficult chapter for a club that has experienced repeated ups and downs in recent years.
After Matt Hamshaw departed his role, Lee Clark was appointed in March in an attempt to steady the ship. However, his tenure proved short-lived, and he left the club at the conclusion of the season, leaving Rotherham once again searching for leadership on the touchline.
In a major restructuring move, former England manager and experienced coach Steve McClaren was appointed as the club’s new Head of Football in May. One of his first responsibilities was to oversee the recruitment of a new head coach capable of leading the club’s promotion push back to League One.
Despite those efforts, McClaren has yet to secure his preferred candidate. Recent reports revealed that former Walsall boss Mat Sadler turned down the opportunity to take charge at the New York Stadium, forcing Rotherham back to the drawing board in their managerial search.
With the squad expected to return for pre-season training within the next fortnight, concerns are growing among supporters that the club is running out of time to make a crucial appointment.
Fans Concerned Over Lack of Progress
Rotherham supporter and fan pundit Tom Eyre believes Sadler’s decision to reject the role was not entirely surprising. According to Eyre, the former Walsall manager may not have been the ideal fit for the style of football and long-term vision that McClaren is hoping to establish at the club.
While he understands why Sadler was not ultimately appointed, Eyre admitted he is increasingly worried by the club’s apparent inability to secure a manager despite weeks of searching.
He pointed out that Sadler is now the second unemployed manager to decline the opportunity, a situation that raises uncomfortable questions about the club’s current appeal and the direction it is heading.
Eyre suggested that supporters have every right to feel frustrated, describing the situation as disorganised and lacking clear momentum. With pre-season almost underway, he believes the ongoing delay reflects poorly on the club and risks undermining preparations for the new campaign.
The uncertainty has created a sense of stagnation around the club at a time when decisive action is required to restore confidence following relegation.
Justin Cochrane and Alan Knill Suggested as Alternatives
Looking ahead, Eyre believes Rotherham may need to think outside the box and consider candidates from different coaching backgrounds.
One name he highlighted was Justin Cochrane, a highly respected coach currently involved with the England setup. Although Eyre acknowledged that Cochrane may not be a realistic target, he feels Rotherham should explore younger, progressive coaches with fresh ideas and modern approaches to player development.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Eyre also suggested former Rotherham manager Alan Knill as a potential option.
Knill’s previous spell at the club was not particularly successful, but Eyre argues that circumstances were very different at the time. Since leaving Rotherham, Knill has gained extensive experience working alongside Chris Wilder at Sheffield United, helping him develop a deeper understanding of the game and coaching at a higher level.
Having recently left Sheffield United, Knill could now be ready for another opportunity as a number-one manager. His familiarity with the club, combined with the experience accumulated during his years away, may make him an intriguing candidate for consideration.
Promotion Ambitions Require Swift Action
Rotherham’s primary objective next season will be securing an immediate return to League One. However, achieving that goal will require strong leadership and a clear plan from the outset.
The Millers have now suffered relegation for the fifth time in the last decade, highlighting the instability that has plagued the club in recent years. Supporters will be desperate to see signs that lessons have been learned and that a more sustainable approach is being adopted.
Mat Sadler’s rejection represents another obstacle in what has already become a difficult recruitment process. The 41-year-old coach, who left Walsall in March after nearly three years in charge, became the latest candidate to decline the opportunity.
Interestingly, Sadler has a previous connection with Rotherham. He joined the club as a player in 2014 but never made a league appearance, spending time on loan at Crawley Town and Oldham Athletic before leaving permanently the following year.
As McClaren continues to oversee the search for a new head coach, pressure is mounting to make a decision sooner rather than later.
Time Running Out Before New Season Preparations Begin
Having been in his role for over a month, McClaren is facing increasing scrutiny as the managerial vacancy remains unfilled. While finding the right candidate is important, the clock is ticking, and the lack of progress is beginning to concern supporters.
Allowing pre-season to begin without a permanent head coach would risk disrupting preparations and could leave the club playing catch-up before a ball has even been kicked in the new season.
Whether Rotherham ultimately turn to a young, ambitious coach such as Justin Cochrane or opt for an experienced figure like Alan Knill, the club needs to move quickly.
If the Millers are serious about challenging for promotion at the first attempt, they must establish stability, direction, and leadership immediately. Continued delays could leave them vulnerable to another frustrating campaign and increase the risk of becoming stuck in League Two longer than expected.
