Former England manager Steve McClaren is in talks with Rotherham United over a role at the club, as the Millers prepare for life in League Two following their relegation last month. McClaren, who stepped down as Jamaica manager in November after failing to secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, is available for a return to club management.
Potential Role at Rotherham
Lee Clark currently serves as Rotherham's interim manager, but his future remains uncertain after winning only one of his eight games in charge. Chairman Tony Stewart is already looking ahead, and a meeting with McClaren was scheduled for Tuesday, according to the Rotherham Advertiser. McClaren and Stewart are known to be good friends, which could facilitate negotiations. While it is not ruled out that the 64-year-old could replace Clark as manager, he might also take on a different position, such as sporting director.
McClaren's Recent Movements
McClaren was recently spotted at the New York Stadium watching Rotherham's clash with Barnsley. His family home is believed to be in North Yorkshire, making a move to Rotherham an attractive prospect. McClaren resigned from his role with Jamaica last year, describing his 18-month tenure as 'one of the greatest honours of his career'.
Career Background
Aside from his infamous spell as England manager, McClaren has managed Middlesbrough, Twente, Derby County, Newcastle United, and Queens Park Rangers, and served as an assistant at Manchester United. If appointed, League Two would mark the lowest level he has coached at.
Interim Manager's Comments
Clark expects his future to be clarified 'very, very quickly'. He noted the extensive work ahead: 'The club has so much work to do in lots of aspects - recruitment, information to the present squad about who will be staying, who will be going, who will be offered new contracts. There's the organisation of pre-season, which has obviously started and is ongoing. People think eight weeks (the length of the off-season) is a long time. But when you're dealing with all that amount of work, that period goes very quickly. You cannot waste any time when you're getting started on rebuilding the club and getting it back to its previous successes.'
Rotherham will end their miserable campaign away to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday. Should McClaren be appointed, it would mark a significant chapter in his career, returning to English football at a level he has not experienced before.
