Doncaster Rovers appoint former Huddersfield Town coach Danny Schofield to succeed Gary McSheffrey

The 42-year-old has made a quickfire return to the dug-out at his hometown club, just 36 days after being sacked as head coach by Huddersfield Town.

Schofield has fought off competition from former Rovers captain Graeme Lee for the vacant position with three candidates understood to have been interviewed following the sacking of Gary McSheffrey on Monday.

He has signed a one-year rolling contract.

From the area, Schofield was delighted to be given the opportunity to take over in the Rovers dugout.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge and I appreciate the opportunity. I’m looking forward to getting to work,” said Schofield.

“This is a new challenge and one I’m ready to give my all to in order to make it a success.

“I’m a Doncaster lad. I’m from the area so I know this place well. I know the supporters. I know what the ambitions of the club are.

“It seemed a really good fit for me and one I really think can work.”

After finishing playing, Schofield, who started his career with non-league Doncaster outfit Brodsworth Welfare, worked in a several coaching roles across Yorkshire.

MORE: Gary McSheffrey sacked as Doncaster Rovers manager due to a lack of playing style and identity and a 'growing concern' over performances

He started at Barnsley before becoming player-coach at Bradford (Park Avenue) before working with the Under-16s and Under-23s sides at Leeds United, where he assisted former Town head coach Corberan.

A spell as Under-23 lead coach followed at Middlesbrough ahead of moving to the Terriers.

After initially working with the Under-19s and B team, Schofield was promoted to the first-team after Corberan arrived.

Schofield, who holds the UEFA coaching license as well as a degree in Exercise and Sports Science, led the first-team on three occasions in 2021-22 in the absence of Corberan before stepping up to become full-time head coach after the Spaniard's shock departure in July.

He had been offered a head coaching job on the continent earlier in the summer.

The Yorkshireman's tenure at the John Smith's Stadium lasted just 68 days.

Town managed just one win in nine matches in all competitions under his watch.

McSheffrey paid the price for Rovers’ poor run of autumnal form on Monday morning, with the 40-year-old sacked after a run of five league losses in eight matches.

It left Doncaster, with one of the largest wage bills in League Two, languishing in mid-table.

Schofield's first match in charge is at Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, with his maiden home outing being against Steve Evans’ Stevenage on Tuesday evening.