STEVE EVANS”second coming’ as Rotherham United manager will take place against the same side that faced him in the final match of his magnificent first time in command in September 2015.
That team was Birmingham City, who fell 2-0 to the Millers at St Andrew’s in the Scot’s final match little over eight and a half years ago.
On Saturday, the Blues will face a Rotherham team led by Evans, with chairman Tony Stewart opting to look ahead after sacking Leam Richardson four months into a two-and-a-half-year contract. His number two, Rob Kelly, has also left.
After being granted permission to meet with League One team Stevenage, Rotherham promptly reached an agreement with Evans and handed the Hertfordshire club a financial package.
The 61-year-old former Leeds United manager, who had a brilliant spell at Rotherham from April 2012 to September 2015, when the Millers achieved back-to-back promotions and retained their second-tier status, was considered for the role in November before Richardson was chosen.
Evans commented at the time of having a ‘wonderful affection’ for Stewart and a’really good football club.’
Despite public assurances earlier this year that Richardson would be the man tasked with rebuilding the Millers following a relegation that was expected previous to his arrival in December, Stewart has now reconsidered and turned to Evans.
Stewart’s decision to change course was driven by a run of only two victories in 24 matches across all competitions, with board members ‘unanimously in agreement’, according to a club statement.
Evans will be supported by his longtime right-hand man, Paul Raynor.
Stewart’s decision-making process also included a goal for a fourth consecutive promotion back to the second division ‘at the first time of asking’.
That comment appears to convey a message that a rapid return to the Championship will now take precedence over rebuilding more general parts of the club’s footballing side, which Richardson was so eager to enhance.
Stewart stated, “On behalf of everyone at Rotherham United, I am overjoyed to welcome Steve Evans and Paul Raynor back to the football club.
“We did not take Leam and Rob’s departure lightly, but after extensive conversations at the board level,
It was widely decided that a change of course was required to offer us the best chance of returning to the Sky Bet Championship at the first opportunity.
“With Steve and Paul, we have two people who understand the Rotherham United ‘DNA’ and what it takes to develop a successful team.
“They have a proven track record of success at a plethora of clubs, including our own.”
Evans won 72 of his 173 matches in command of the Millers during his first stint, resulting in a win ratio of 41.6%.
Meanwhile, Rob Scott, hired as the club’s first director of football earlier this year, will now focus only on recruitment once more in a return to his
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