The man Steve McClaren wants as Rotherham United's head coach
A MAN with a mixed record in English football is the front-runner to become the head coach of Rotherham United.
Newly-appointed head of football Steve McClaren needs to make an appointment following his arrival at AESSEAL New York Stadium his week.
The 65-year-old says he has “two or three” candidates in mind and the Advertiser understands that his preferred option for next term’s League Two campaign is Ian Burchnall.
The pair have previously been together as boss and assistant boss of the Jamaica national squad.
Burchnall - a holder of UEFA'S top coaching qualification, the Pro Licence - has worked extensively in this country and abroad.
He twice took Notts County to the National League play-offs when he was head coach at Meadow Lane in 2022 and 2023.
However, a subsequent spell at Forest Green Rovers, who were a League One club at the time, was less successful and he left them after only seven months when they were bottom of the table.
Now aged 43, Leicester-born Burchnall began his coaching career at Leeds University as a 22-year-old and was later part of the academy ranks at Leeds United and Bradford City.
For a number of years, he worked abroad and, just like when he was in England, he had a combination of highs and lows.
His record in Europe reads:
2013/14: He was assistant manager to former Sheffield United striker Brian Deane at Norwegian side Sarpsborg.
2014/17: He was assistant manager and then manager of Viking in Norway where he was sacked despite supporters' protests that he didn't deserve to be dismissed.
2018/20: he became manager of Swedish side Ostersunds - following a recommendation from former Chelsea boss Graham Potter - for whom he did well before deciding to return to his homeland.
2023: After his spells with Notts County and Forest Green, he was assistant manager of Belgian team Anderlecht and then, once more, headed back to England.
Most recently, he was assistant manager at Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers under Gary O’Neil before teaming up with McClaren with Jamaica and then having a brief spell as number two at Aberdeen.
He and McClaren left the Caribbean set-up late last year.