Words from the chairman as Steve McClaren joins Rotherham United
FORMER England boss Steve McClaren today became head of football at Rotherham United in a restructuring of the club's football operations as they prepare for life in League Two.
The 65-year-old's first task will be to recommend someone to work under him as head coach or manager.
The ‘head of football’ role is a new one at AESSEAL New York Stadium as Rotherham embark on a rebuilding mission following this season's relegation from the third tier.
There has been contact between McClaren and the Millers for well over a month. He was a spectator at the home derby with Barnsley on April 11 and there has since been several rounds of discussions.
He and chairman Tony Stewart have known each other for a number of years and there is warm respect between the pair.
Stewart said: “Steve will provide the board with a new voice and a pair of eyes that have seen how clubs ensure that they reach optimal performance. To attract someone of his calibre hopefully shows to our fans that we are determined to make positive changes following difficult years recently.
“Conversations with Steve have been ongoing for a period of time now, which was by design to ensure that both parties had a clear mutual understanding of what the role looks like and where we believe we can progress the club to.
“His CV speaks for itself. Beyond that, we have been hugely impressed by his enthusiasm and desire to enact positive changes here.
“Steve’s appointment will, without doubt, serve as the first step in what will now be a series of decisions across the footballing operation in an important summer for the club.”
McClaren's arrival comes two and a half weeks after short-term manager Lee Clark left the club after nine games at the helm.
There is now an empty hot-seat and the new man, in his ‘overseeing’ position, will have the main influence on who fills it.
A club statement said that he would be working closely with recruitment chief Rob Scott.
McClaren was in charge of the England team in 2006 and 2007 and is also vastly experienced in a club environment.
He was number two at Manchester United during he reign of Sir Alex Ferguson and has been boss of Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Derby County, Queens Park Rangers and Dutch side FC Twente.
His last job was as head coach of the Jamaica national squad, a role he left late last year.
Meanwhile, Rotherham plan to announce season-ticket prices for next season in the next few days.