Rotherham United and Mat Sadler: deal off
ROTHERHAM United are resuming their long search for a head coach after bringing their pursuit of Mat Sadler to an end.
The Millers turned their attentions to the former Walsall man more than a week ago and at one stage his arrival at AESSEAL New York Stadium looked extremely likely.
But, as discussions have continued, Rotherham's interest in the 41-year-old has waned and they are now looking elsewhere for someone to fill a pivotal role as they prepare for life in League Two following last season's relegation.
They have had no-one in the hot-seat since Lee Clark's May 2 departure and have only a shadow squad following around 20 player departures.
Concerns among fans about the club's situation are growing day by day, with the start of pre-season training less than a fortnight away.
New head of football Steve McClaren is seeking to appoint a head coach to work under him and he is among the people at the club who, after meetings with Sadler, don't regard the former Rotherham full-back as the right fit.
McClaren's main priority is to bring in a new man and he will be frustrated and disappointed by the latest developments.
The Millers targeted Sadler when a deal for Ian Burchnall, who had previously worked with McClaren in the Jamaica national set-up, fell through. Burchnall made some late demands that scuppered proceedings and is now expected to join Championship Bristol's City' coaching staff.
McClaren wants somewhere with lower-league experience, which is why Sadler appeared on his radar, having guided Walsall to the fourth-tier play-off final in 2025 before being sacked by the Saddlers following a poor run last term.