There can be no denying that the 2023/24 campaign has been a disastrous one for Rotherham United. After surviving relegation from the Championship last season and ending their six-year yo-yo between the second and third tiers, many expected The Mllers to kick on and further strengthen their position within the division. They twice broke their transfer record to bring in Christ Tiehi and Sam Nombe – with the latter becoming the club’s first-ever £1m signing – and fans were optimistic of progress being made at New York Stadium.
Unfortunately for them, however, their campaign has been anything but successful. The South Yorkshire outfit has been relegated with a whimper, currently sitting rock bottom of the division a whopping 21 points behind their closest competitor and 24 points away from safety. They have been through three managers already this season and a fourth has just come through the doors. So why then is there a wave of optimism surging around the town?
Rotherham’s Greatest Ever Manager Returns
The man who is responsible for the euphoria is none other than former Leeds United boss Steve Evans. The marmite-like figure is perhaps the greatest-ever manager in the history of the club, taking them from League Two to the Championship in just two years between 2012 and 2014, before then keeping them in the second tier in 2015. The crowning moment was without a doubt coming from two goals down at Wembley in the 2014 League One Playoff Final against Leyton Orient to secure promotion on penalties, with striker Alex Revell scoring perhaps the greatest goal ever scored under the arch in the process.
Over the last two years, the maverick Scotsman has transformed Stevenage, taking them from the doldrums of League Two to the brink of the League One playoff spots on a shoestring budget. Their 2-1 defeat at home to Burton Albion on April 13th meant that they could not mathematically secure a spot in the top six and thus ended their season. Millers chairman Tony Stewart took notice of this and immediately acted, sacking manager Leam Richardson after he secured just two victories against 17 defeats in a torrid 128-day spell in charge.
Many expected the former Wigan Athletic boss to be at least given the summer so that he could bring in his players and have a crack at securing an immediate return to the Championship. The Millers have been promoted in each of their last four seasons in League One and their most recent of those back in 2022, they finished second to Richardson’s Latics. As such, he will have been confident in bringing in the players required to get the job done once more next term, but unfortunately for him, he won’t get the chance.
Just The Tonic For The Millers
Ever since long-time manager Paul Warne left the club for the bright lights of Derby County at the start of last season, the Millers faithful have been crying out for an Evans-like manager. Former Exeter City boss Matt Taylor was initially brought in and he performed well, securing the club’s first victory away at rivals Sheffield United in over 40 years en route to second-tier survival. However, this season, he couldn’t continue the good work he had started and his possession-based style of play was not what was required to keep the club afloat.
Richardson has come in and rather than try and adapt to the Millers’ DNA – which consists of an old-school blood-and-thunder type of football – he stuck with what Taylor had created. But things went south quickly. The club simply doesn’t;t have the talent required to play such a style and as such, needs to rely on good old-fashioned hard work. their now-former manager couldn’t see that, and he has now got the axe.
What Can Rotherham Fans Expect Next Season?
This summer, Steve Evens may well have had plans to watch his beloved Scotland performing at UEFA Euro 2024. The Scots qualified for the tournament for the second straight time, and reputable sports gambling sites make them a -140 contender to progress into the knockout rounds. However, rather than having his feet up cheering on the Tartan Army, he instead has an almighty rebuilding job ahead of him.
Last summer, the Millers brought in players to suit Matt Taylor’s system and as such, sacrificed work rate for technical ability. That simply won’t cut it under Evans, and several players will be on the chopping block. The likes of Cafu, Andre Green and Cohen Bramall will all be moved on. As well as that, goalkeeper Viktor Johansson will also be sold for a cut-price due to a relegation release clause, while captain Ollie Rathbone could also be on the move.
In their place will come hard workers, pacey wingers and players with tenacity. Next season, the blood and thunder football will be back and the pride in the Millers badge will be stronger than ever. Evans is just the tonic the Millers need, and they will be the favorites for an immediate return to the Championship under his leadership.
Image Source: unsplash.com