Revealed: The man Rotherham United now want as head coach
ROTHERHAM United have identified a new main target in their search for a new head coach and are holding talks with him about a potential move to AESSEAL New York Stadium.
The Millers have had to look elsewhere after their pursuit of Ian Burchnall foundered earlier this week.
They are now hoping that the position will be filled by one of their former players, Mat Sadler.
Recently-appointed head of football Steve McClaren wants the 41-year-old to work under him as Rotherham attempt to rebuild following their relegation to League Two.
The need for an appointment is pressing as the club have had nobody in the hot-seat since short-term incumbent Lee Clark departed on May 2 and the start of pre-season training is only three weeks away.
Sadler spent three years as head coach of fourth-tier Walsall between 2023 and 2026, before being sacked in March after a run of only one win in 11 matches saw the West Midlands outfit slip away from the promotion frame after once topping the table.
A cultured left-back in his playing days, he joined the Millers in 2014 during Steve Evans' first reign as manager but played only once before going on loan to Crawley Town and Oldham Athletic and then joining Shrewsbury Town on a permanent deal in 2015.
Sadler made 575 appearances in a long career that began at his hometown club, Birmingham City, in 2002 and ended in 2022 at Walsall before he moved into coaching at the Bescott Stadium.
He led the club to an 11th-placed finish in League Two in 2024 and took them to the Play-off Final - where they lost to AFC Wimbledon - in 2025. Following his exit, the Saddlers ended up 13th last term.
The Millers' negotiations with Burchnall came to an end over some late contractual demands when they thought that a deal was virtually in the bag.
Discussions are taking place with Sadler and McClaren is hoping for a more positive outcome this time around.