Evans admits to tears on ‘sudden’ departure from Rotherham United

The Scot left his post after three-and-a-half years yesterday lunchtime when differences were exposed between himself and chairman Tony Stewart during a routine meeting between the pair.

Despite the duo’s decision to part company, Evans insists the pair will remain firm friends, with the two leading lights in the Millers’ renaissance over the past three seasons embracing warmly and shedding a few tears at the end of their meeting after deciding to part company.

Evans, speaking on Radio Sheffield, said: “I think when the chairman, Tony Stewart, and myself woke up yesterday morning, there was nothing on our radar.

“We had our normal meeting as we have had on a daily basis for three-and-a-half years. The meeting was more business than anything else.

“But at the end of that meeting when decisions were made both for myself and the chairman for the football club that we were heading in a different direction, we were left with two people in the room - myself and the chairman.

“We hugged and embraced each other and there were some tears from both sides. It was a very emotional moment; to watch Steve Evans watch his chairman shed lots of tears and be very emotional knowing that we were going to formally part.

“It was a moment that will stay with me for a long time.”

On the circumstances of his exit, Evans, casting aside talk of a heated row, added: “During the meeting, there were no strong words or major raised voices or anything like that. Just differences of opinion of where the football club should go.

“Steve Evans had to make a decision for Steve Evans and Tony Stewart had to make a decision for Tony Stewart.

“We parted yesterday as friends and for the next twenty years, we will be the best of friends. Not only with me, but my family.”

The Scot is now taking stock before his next move regarding his future and says ‘his phone has been quite lively’ following his decision to leave the Millers.

He added: “That choice will be mine. It won’t be a secret to many people that my phone has been quite lively since the news was broken by the football club yesterday.

“But I don’t have any desire to talk about jobs that are available and I certainly do not have any desire to talk about contact that has been made by managers and clubs that are still in jobs. Because I know how difficult it is and what the world of football works like.”

Meanwhile, Evans has addressed thanks to the Millers faithful for their support over the course of three-and-a-half largely magical years since being appointed in April 2012.

Evans, who will make a full statement after the weekend, added: “I want to wholeheartedly thank the Rotherham United supporters for three and a half wonderful fans for the most wonderful personal and team support that a manager could wish to have.”