Leon Wobschall: Departure of Evans from Rotherham could deprive rivals Doncaster of their preferred choice

SIMILAR-SIZED towns, similar-sized populations ... similar-sized football clubs and fanbases.
LEADING MAN: Former Leeds 
United coach Neil Redfearn. Picture: Tony Johnson.LEADING MAN: Former Leeds 
United coach Neil Redfearn. Picture: Tony Johnson.
LEADING MAN: Former Leeds United coach Neil Redfearn. Picture: Tony Johnson.

Doncaster Rovers and Rotherham United are alike one another in so many respects, with the Keepmoat Stadium even providing a bit of a template ahead of the Millers move into their splendid new home - the AESSEAL New York Stadium - in the summer of 2012.

Famously, the clubs even had the same manager during the course of one season in the shape of Thurcroft-born Dave Cusack, who had the dubious honour of taking charge of two relegated sides at various junctures in 1987-88 in Rovers and the Millers, who both dropped to football’s basement that sorry year.

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On to the present and both now find themselves in the same boat, searching for a new manager, with both clubs having received considerable interest for their respective vacant posts.

The intriguing aspect to the pair’s search for permanent successors to Paul Dickov and Steve Evans are the same names in the mix for both sides - it’s like playing a game of snap.

So much so that as of Thursday afternoon, Neil Redfearn was favourite for both the Rovers post (7-4) and Millers position (5/4).

As for the others in the frame, Darren Ferguson was at a very short price for both jobs too - with his odds on taking over at Rovers being 5/2. As for Rotherham, you can get 6/4.

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Nigel Clough is also mentioned prominently in dispatches for both jobs. The same goes for Stuart Gray.

But the interesting dynamic is that the shock news of Evans’s exit from Rotherham will have potentially thrown a few spanners in the works for the Rovers board.

It is fair to say, that the process to appoint Dickov’s successor has been a lengthy one. Some would say far too long, with the Scot relieved of his duties on September 8 - three-and-a-half weeks ago.

Now the fear no doubt for Rovers supporters too is that one of their favoured candidates could end up at Rotherham when he might have already been in situ at the Keepmoat if the process had been speeded up.

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As night follows day, many who threw in their applications ahead of last Friday’s deadline for the Rovers post, with the club hierarchy having started to compile a short-list this week, will have instantly fired over their CV’s to Rotherham bosses after Evans’ sudden departure.

With a host of candidates now having applied for the posts at Doncaster and Rotherham, it is fair to say that, as it stands, a move to the Millers would probably be the preferable option for most given their Championship status.

Here’s another thing: say one of the high-profile applicants gets offered the Rovers post. Does he accept or, mindful that he may get the Rotherham position, does he keep the Doncaster board waiting?

It is certainly an interesting one and it will be fascinating to see how things play out.

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Here’s a thought too. By the time that the next international break is over, a combined aggregate of six managers, including caretaker ones, could have taken charge at Rovers and Rotherham so far this term.

And it’s only October ...