Dale Tonge departs in Rotherham United U-turn as Lee Clark prepares to bring in new man

The club's chief operating officer, Paul Douglas, had said at last Thursday’s unveiling press conferences that the plan was for the existing backroom team to remain in place at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

However, in a U-turn, they have announced Tonge's exit and have revealed that the new boss will be bringing in his own number two.

In a statement, they said: “After careful consideration from manager Lee Clark, the decision has been made for a new voice to be introduced as we head into the final stages of the 2025/26 season.”

Tonge, a former Millers player and previously a coach at Barnsley and Peterborough United, was appointed last summer by Matt Hamshaw who was dismissed from the New York hot-seat last week.

Rotherham paid compensation to take him from Peterborough.

Clark said of the departing man: “I would like to thank Dale for his help in making it easy for me to settle into the club. He is a terrific person and a top coach.”

The Millers added: “Everyone at Rotherham United would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Dale for all of his efforts and wish him well in the next chapter of his career.”

Clark's contract runs only until the close of the campaign and he has less than six weeks in which to lift the club out of the drop zone.

The fact that he is being allowed to make decisions on staffing raises the prospect that he could stay beyond the summer.

Coach Richard Wood and goalkeeper coach Andy Warrington – both Hamshaw appointments – are still with the club.