Former England manager Steve McClaren has made a surprise return to football, taking on the role of head of football at Rotherham United. The 65-year-old, who stepped down as Jamaica's national team boss in November, will lead the club's rebuilding efforts following their relegation to Sky Bet League Two.
A new chapter at Rotherham
McClaren's primary responsibility will be to oversee the appointment of a new manager after Lee Clark left the club earlier this month to join non-league Hartlepool. The appointment comes after a long-standing friendship with Rotherham chairman Tony Stewart, with whom McClaren had previously discussed the manager's job. However, he now steps into a more senior position, providing "strategic leadership and oversight across our football operations."
Chairman's confidence
Chairman Tony Stewart expressed his enthusiasm, stating: "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." He added that attracting someone of McClaren's "calibre hopefully shows to our fans that we are determined to make positive changes following difficult years recently." Stewart also revealed that conversations with McClaren had been ongoing for some time to ensure mutual understanding of the role and the club's ambitions.
A wealth of experience
McClaren's extensive career includes serving as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United, later returning to Old Trafford to work with Erik ten Hag. He famously guided Middlesbrough to League Cup glory in 2004 and the UEFA Cup final in 2006, and secured the Dutch Eredivisie title with Twente in 2010. His experience at both club and international levels makes him a valuable asset for Rotherham's rebuilding project.
