EFL chairman releases statement as Derby County hero lands new job

McClaren has been out of work since leaving his role as head coach of Jamaica, but the Millers have turned to the former England manager to help restore their fortunes after they suffered relegation to League Two.

One of the first task McClaren is expected to have is to help find a new manager after the Millers saw Lee Clarke, who was in charge on an interim basis, take up the manager's post at Hartlepool United.

Speaking about McClaren's appointment, chairman Tony Stewart said he was delighted to be able to secure McLaren's vast experience.

“We are thrilled to have Steve join us here at Rotherham United and we are already looking forward to the value that his unrivalled experience in football circles will add here at AESSEAL New York Stadium.

“Steve will provide the Board with a new voice and a pair of eyes and ears that have seen how clubs ensure that they reach optimal performance at both the top club level and on the international stage.

“We acknowledged that as part of our ongoing efforts to drive standards and keep the football club progressing forwards off-the-pitch that adding someone with such impressive football knowledge would be highly beneficial at Board level and to attract someone of Steve’s calibre hopefully shows to our fans that we are determined to make positive changes following difficult years recently.

Conversations with Steve have been ongoing for a period of time now, which was by design to ensure that both parties had a clear mutual understanding of what the role looks like and where we believe we can progress the football club to. His CV speaks for itself, but beyond that, we have been hugely impressed by his enthusiasm and desire to enact positive changes here at Rotherham United and we are delighted to have Steve on-board as we look to the future.

“As I stressed in the statement that was issued following confirmation of our relegation to League Two, we are fully aware that action needs to be taken across a number of football-related departments, starting with the appointment of a new first team head coach.

“That same statement detailed the fact that we would carry out a full ‘post-mortem’ of the campaign just passed and Steve’s feedback will be invaluable as we look to implement measures that ensure a similar situation does not unfold again. I would like to take this opportunity to place on record my own personal thanks to Lee Clark and Peter Leven, who not only applied themselves wholeheartedly during a tough period for the club, but have provided learnings of their own which will assist both Steve and the club in making marked improvements in key areas this summer.

“Looking at the bigger picture of the football club, Steve’s official appointment to the role of Head of Football will, without doubt, serve as the first step in what will now be a series of decisions across the footballing operation in an important summer for the club.

“Our Season Ticket launch will now take place in the coming days, and while we are fully respectful of the fact that many of our supporters are keen to know who the head coach will be going into next season. We also want to give those happy to proceed now the chance to secure their ticket for 2026/27.

“I would like to sincerely thank our supporters for their patience so far during a critical transitional period this summer and ask that they continue to maintain their faith in us to make decisions in the best interests of the future of the club as we look to the new season.”