MILLERS: I'm flattered to have been handed the reins, says Eric

ROTHERHAM United’s new caretaker manager Eric Black says that he was flattered when chairman Tony Stewart asked him to take the reins following the shock departure of manager Steve Evans on Monday.

Black (51) is just starting his sixth term as a caretaker manager and is preparing the team to face Burnley at the New York Stadium on Friday in front of the Sky cameras.

Having had temporary stints in charge at clubs such as Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers and permanent roles at Coventry City and Motherwell, Black insists that nothing surprises him in football after racking up 35 years in the game.

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That includes the decision by the club and Steve Evans to part ways earlier in the week.

Black said: “It’s football isn’t it, football is a transient sport. People come and go whether that be players, managers, directors or whatever.

"They are in and out and people have to react to that. Players are getting hardened to react to these situations.

“I found out (that Steve Evans and Paul Raynor had left) about an hour or two after Steve was told but I must admit I am never surprised in football. I’ve been in it 35 years now so there’s not a lot of things that surprise me now.

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“The important thing is that the club needs to move on. I think everyone has said just how good of a job Steve Evans did and it’s a remarkable the job he and Paul have done with the chairman - but the club moves on and that’s unfortunately the way it works.

“I’m thankful to Steve for giving me an opportunity to come to the club and I always will be thankful to him for doing that. I enjoyed working with Paul and I enjoy working with Paul Warne, they are good people who work hard and they got results.

“I had no reservations taking the caretaker role, I was very flattered when the chairman asked me. This is the sixth time I have been put in this position so it’s a role that is semi-familiar to me.

“I was flattered the chairman considered me the right individual to take the game on Friday and I will do it to the best of my ability.”