Bester looking to return Titans to position of strength

The South African left Clifton Lane under a cloud three years ago after a fallout with club directors. But last night he was putting the finishing touches to a contract to succeed Craig West who has done an admirable job in stabilising the club amid the changing landscape of the sport's second tier.

Bester guided Rotherham to fourth and second-place finishes in his two years at the helm between 2005 and 2007, but he returns to the Titans with their stock having declined steadily in the more professional environment of the Championship.

But he insists he can elevate the semi-professional outfit to the heights they enjoyed three years ago – they almost pipped Leeds to promotion – and that the clubs at the top of the Championnship with more money at their disposal should be wary.

"I've never done anything in my life where I wanted to finish second," Bester told the Yorkshire Post last night.

"Anything I put my mind to I am trying to win, regardless of league positions or the status of other clubs.

"I don't want people thinking that I'm a person who settles for second best. I aim for the top.

"Rotherham have always been an attraction to me.

"I know what went wrong last time and I know what went right.

"Hopefully I can put those things right.

"Three years out of the professional environment has given me a good opportunity to reflect on things."

Rotherham have spent the three years since Bester's departure battling relegation and he inherits a squad that, while benefitting from a strong nucleus of young talent, is set to lose experienced leaders like fly-half Mike Whitehead and Namibian flanker Tinus Du Plessis this summer.

Ben Prescott, Gregor Hayter and Andy Barnes are also departing Clifton Lane with their exits offset by a return to the club for scrum-half Joe Bedford, who joins after a spell with Leeds.

Bester, who has been coaching in the Irish amateur league while he sorted out family issues, said: "I haven't looked at the squad in a detailed way yet.

"But from what I've seen and heard the players all acknowledge that they could have done better.

"It's just a case of fine tuning the squad.

"Craig West stabilised the club and did a great job. He was a coach who always put the club first and I will be looking to speak with him."

Bester's return will be welcomed by the Clifton Lane faithful.

He was a favourite in his time at the club and took them closer than any coach to regaining the Premiership status they last enjoyed in 2003-04.