Rotherham United provide head coach and recruitment update ahead of 2026-27 League Two season

The Millers have been without a head coach since Lee Clark’s departure on May 2, with moves to bring in Ian Burchnall and then Mat Sadler both falling through.

It is understood that some interviews with prospective candidates for the post have taken place this week.

Many fans have voiced justified concerns at the tardy process, given the fact that the club - on the back of relegation to League Two - are also facing an extensive overhaul on the playing front with around 20 players leaving following a very difficult 2025-26 campaign.

The number of current contracted players ahead of the start of pre-season next week stands at just 14 with performance staff to conduct fitness sessions and testing ahead of the appointment of a head coach.

One significant behind-the-scenes move has seen the club name Steve McClaren as their head of football and the club have reiterated that he continues to oversee all football matters.

A club statement read: “We fully understand and appreciate that our supporters have placed significant emphasis on the need for the club to appoint a new head coach.

"We would like to reassure our fanbase that work is taking place around the clock regarding the vacant position and we are aware that the timeline in which this appointment would ideally be made is becoming shorter with the players due to return to training next week.

“We are confident that the absence of a head coach will not hinder the process of signing players.

"In an attempt to provide further context, next week’s return to pre-season training for the first team will be largely centred around testing, physical work and conditioning and will be led by our Head of Performance Ross Burbeary.

"It is also important to stress that while the individual appointed to the head coach role will be responsible for team selection and tactics ahead of any given matchday, they will work in close collaboration with Steve McClaren across all football matters.

"At present, Steve himself is leading on all football-related operations and will continue to do so upon the appointment of a head coach, at which time he will assume a hands-on supervisory role.”

Despite the sense of imbroglio regarding the search for a head coach, the club have also moved to reassure supporters by stressing there has been headway regarding bringing in prospective new signings with McClaren and the club’s recruitment team, led by Rob Scott, co-ordinating transfer matters.

Signings could be confirmed soon and possibly later this week, while a club statement has also confirmed that the club’s budget will be a good and competitive one in League Two circles.

The statement read: “Operating with Rob Scott and his team, our Head of Football Steve McClaren has made significant strides to identify and open dialogue with a number of targets who we are confident will be able to perform here at Rotherham United.

"Throughout the early period of Steve’s tenure, time was spent devising a clear and definitive ‘profile’ of which attributes any player signing for the club should have and the process to bring individuals to Rotherham United with those credentials is now well under way.

"Work to that effect has been ongoing from the moment Steve was appointed to his position within the football club and, with players now returning from summer breaks ahead of pre-season, is nearing a point at which those efforts will begin to bear fruit imminently.

"We would once again like to reassure supporters that this process can and has begun in the current absence of a head coach and whilst it is difficult to outline a definitive timeline, there is a high probability that players will begin to be announced on our official channels before the end of the week.

"The club is acutely aware of the fact that this summer represents a big opportunity in respect of the turnover of its playing squad, and, like every other club in the country would like to have a settled team in place at the earliest opportunity. However, we will, as always, prioritise bringing in the right players over doing so in the early days of pre-season.

"We will equip Steve McClaren with a healthy Sky Bet League Two budget to enable him to recruit players of the required calibre to aid our on-field successes but will always balance that with ensuring that the club is never put into a position of financial jeopardy.”

Meanwhile, the club has also stated that their sports science and medical department continues to be restructured after last season's injury problems.

Earlier this week, it was reported that two members of the club’s medical staff have left, leaving the Millers without any contracted physios.

Improvements are also under way at the club’s Roundwood training base, including pitch updates and construction of new facilities including a meeting room.