Lee Clark sets an unlikely target and is full of survival belief as he becomes Rotherham United manager

The 53-year-old has taken the Millers job until the season and has nine matches in which to bridge the six-point gap between the drop-zone club and safety.

“We have 27 points to play for, we're aiming for all 27,” he declared at his unveiling press conference at AESSEAL New York Stadium this afternoon. “We've got a belief about staying up, we've got a chance.”

The former Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City boss encountered the players for the first time today when he took training at Roundwood and held individual and team meetings.

Rotherham made their approach the day after chairman Tony Stewart had relieved Matt Hamshaw of his duties on Tuesday night following a 5-0 loss at Peterborough United.

“I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could do it,” Clark said. “I met the board after the decision about the previous manager. I wouldn't have came to the meeting on Wednesday if I didn't think I could do it.

“What would be the point of coming in for nine games and believing that I couldn't do it just to be a manager again? I didn't need that.

“It's imperative that the club stays up. It's a tough challenge, of course, but we certainly can do it.”

Stewart wasn't at the press conference to welcome the new man and chief operating officer Paul Douglas, who stood in for him, said Rotherham's owner was “otherwise engaged”.

Clark's last league role as a manager came at Bury in 2017. After that came a non-league spell at Blyth Spartans and jobs abroad in Sudan and Oman.

Addressing his lengthy absence from the game, the Geordie said: “I've been out in terms of not being in the dugout but I haven't been out in terms of visiting clubs, developing myself as a coach, learning from people who have been successful, watching games over numerous levels from Champions League all the way down to National League.”

Clark was interview for the manager's job at New York in 2012, before Steve Evans was handed the role, and revealed he has retained a fondness for the Millers ever since.

“We first met about 14 years ago when I spoke to the chairman, Paul (Douglas) and the board of directors and they left a lasting impression on me.

“When I moved to various other clubs, I still - don't ask me why - just kept looking out for how Rotherham were doing. I was delighted with the success they had under Steve. Who'll ever forget the day at Wembley when the trousers nearly came down? That's classic football!

“Then, I was delighted with the success they had under Paul Warne in getting to the Championship on those occasions.

“I'd seen what they'd built in terms of this stadium and what they'd brought to the people in the town. I loved the passion of the Rotherham fans. This is my second time being a manager in Yorkshire now and the people are so genuine. They love their football.”

Clark's first match at the helm is a trip to leaders Lincoln City on Saturday.