ROTHERHAM United are now looking at alternative targets in their search for a new head coach after failing to reach a financial agreement with Ian Burchnall.

The 43-year-old, who started his coaching career with the University of Leeds and subsequently served in roles within the academies at Leeds United and Bradford City, had been earmarked to become the club's next full-time head coach under new head of football Steve McClaren.

The pair previously worked together at Jamaica.

But the Rotherham Advertiser have reported that Leicester-born Burchnall, the preferred choice of McClaren, has been unable to agree terms with the Millers and is now exploring other options.

Ian Burchnall was the front-runner to be the new Rotherham United head coach (Image: Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)

placeholder image — Ian Burchnall was the front-runner to be the new Rotherham United head coach (Image: Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)

In a statement issued late on Thursday afternoon, the club felt compelled to issue an update with their search for a head coach dragging into a second month.

The club return to pre-season training towards the end of June.

A statement read: "Rotherham United would like to provide the following update to supporters regarding the ongoing process to appoint a first team head coach.

"As was outlined in our Head of Football Steve McClaren’s interview with our in-house media team last Friday, the club has progressed conversations with its primary targets and is now making further considerations to determine which individual we feel is best suited to take us forwards.

New Rotherham United head of football Steve McClaren (right), with chairman Tony Stewart. Picture courtesy of RUFC.

"To further reassure supporters following Steve’s update on the situation last week, the club can confirm that positive discussions have also taken place with a number of players and their representatives regarding the possibility of signing contracts and pledging their futures here to us at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

"The newly-established model - which will see the former England manager head up our football operations - means that, whilst the appointment of a head coach remains at the top of our immediate priorities, the club is able to and will progress with a player recruitment process which is centred around a philosophy that will remain consistent, irrespective of the occupants of the coaching roles within the first team.

"It is also important to stress that we want to be fully confident that the individual appointed to the head coach position understands how their role sits within that same structure and shares the vision and ambitions we have for them in both the short and long term.

"A series of recruitment meetings between Steve, Rob Scott and the wider recruitment team have yielded positive outcomes which have now evolved into the club engaging in dialogue with a number of prospective signings.

"Whilst we understand and appreciate our supporters’ desire to formally appoint the club’s new head coach in the near future, we feel it important to issue this update to reassure the fanbase that work is not only ongoing to that effect, but critically, other preparations are still being made effectively across player recruitment and pre-season planning.”

Burchnall, who has also formerly worked in head coaching roles at Notts County and Forest Green Rovers, recently left his role as first-team coach at Aberdeen.

He has a wealth of experience in coaching with several other clubs including Scandinavian trio Sarpsborg, Viking and Osterlund alongside Wolves and Belgian giants Anderlecht.

The development regarding Burchnall represents a blow for the Millers, who have been without a head coach for over a month since interim boss Lee Clark left following the final game of the 2024-25 campaign.

The season saw Rotherham relegated to the fourth tier, a level they last played at in 2012-13.