Rotherham United chairman Tony Stewart reveals when timetable to Steve McClaren's arrival began
ROTHERHAM United chairman Tony Stewart has revealed that contact with Steve McClaren - from Christmas onwards - helped set the wheels in motion for his arrival at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.
The former England and Middlesbrough head coach has taken on a wide-ranging role as the club's football supremo and was unveiled on Wednesday afternoon - with talks having taken place for several weeks.
Elaborating on how discussions with McClaren first got under way - regarding his potential involvement at the club in the future - Stewart said that they were precipitated by the Millers’ on-pitch troubles during the winter.
He said: "When you're reflecting on last season, up to Christmas, everything was fine (in League One).
"We were going to get in the top ten, top six. We went nine games without a defeat. Then we got into the darker months, into the new year, and things didn't go to plan.
"For a while, we were texting each other (and) I started reflecting, thinking that: 'How do we shore up Rotherham United?
"I said to myself: 'What are the weaknesses? What are the strengths? It was more about, what are the weaknesses?'. I thought: 'We've never had someone who's got the experience in football than Steve has.'
"We had a chat. We went to see him. Steve was very professional in the way that he conducted the conversation.
"It was questions and questions and questions. The thoroughness of his questioning meant that, really, he was really going into it deeper than just a casual conversation.
"At some point, I just said: 'Would you be interested?' He said something like: 'Well, let me have a look and see.' And for the past three months, we kept in touch. I enjoyed the process.
"A couple of weeks ago, it was possibly going to happen. But, again, Steve was dotting the 'i's, crossing the 't's. He came down and spoke to people while I was away. And we are where we are today because of that story."
Stewart has counted York-born McClaren, who turned 65 earlier this month, as a friend for some time and they have held general conversations regarding the game for a number of years.
He added: "We met around 10 years ago. I got a call from Steve and he said: 'We'll have a chat.' We met at a hotel in York.
"I was flattered by the fact he was the ex England manager. We had a lovely chat.
“Over certain time, Steve's shown an interest in the club. He's watched one or two games here."