Setback for Rotherham United in hunt for a head coach

Head of football Steve McClaren believed that he had the 43-year-old on board as head coach and had been anticipating an announcement being made this week.

However, the Millers - preparing for life in League Two following their relegation from the third tier - haven't been able to reach a financial agreement with the former Forest Green Rovers manager who is now exploring options elsewhere.

The development is a severe blow to them and to McClaren who arrived at AESSEAL New York Stadium just over a fortnight ago in a restructuring of the club's football operation and must now consider alternative candidates.

Most of his career has been spent at a high level and he needs a man with experience of the lower leagues to work with him.

Leicester-born Burchnall fitted that bill because, in addition to his League One spell with Forest Green, he has been head coach of Notts County in the National League.

The pair know each other because they were together at the head of the Jamaica national set-up last year.

Rotherham thought that a deal was close and the Advertiser understands that some extra demands from Burchnall are partly behind the impasse. An appointment is urgently needed as a return for pre-season training is only three and a half weeks away.

A huge squad rebuild is required after around 20 player exits this summer and the lack of clarity surrounding a key role is an obvious cause for concern.

They have been without a boss or head coach since manager Lee Clark's short-term reign ended with the May 2 last-day fixture at Wycombe Wanderers.

The Geordie had been hoping to stay on but the Millers, despite allowing him to make plans for pre-season and next term, decided on a different way forward.

It remains to be seen whether Rotherham and Burchnall can come back to the negotiating table.