Rotherham United: Neil Warnock eyeing Millers rescue act

Neil Warnock is prepared to answer Rotherham United's call if they turn to him in their bid to secure Championship survival.
Neil WarnockNeil Warnock
Neil Warnock

Manager Neil Redfearn was sacked on Monday after two successive defeats against relegation rivals saw the Millers drop back into the bottom three.

The Star understands the chance to take over at AESSEAL New York Stadium until the end of the season appeals to former Sheffield United boss Warnock.

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And his vast experience, ability to galvanise players and knowledge of the second tier ticks many boxes for the Millers who want to appoint their new man as soon as possible.

Any deal would more than likely cover only the remaining 16 games of the campaign.

Warnock’s main home is in Cornwall, but the 67-year-old retains close links with South Yorkshire and received a warm welcome at New York when he was a speaker there on the day of the QPR match last month.

With their Championship safety at stake, Rotherham say they are “100 per cent” focused on wasting no time in their pursuit of their next manager.

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It is thought terms between the two parties have still to be discussed.

An appointment could even be made before the weekend although, at this stage, assistant boss Nicky Eaden is in caretaker charge and preparing the team for Saturday’s home clash with Birmingham City.

Several high-profile figures are thought to be keen on the post, with former Newcastle United boss John Carver, Southend United manager Phil Brown. Plymouth Argyle leader Derek Adams and Northampton Town’s Chris Wilder among them.

The Millers’ are believed to have a stronger interest in ex-Sheffield Wednesday head coach Stuart Gray than they did before choosing Redfearn as Steve Evans’ successor last October, but his coaching has been well received at Fulham since then and the West Londoners don’t want to lose him.

Neil RedfearnNeil Redfearn
Neil Redfearn
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The Millers had appointed Redfearn with a long-term remit to keep them up while overhauling their youth system to create a pathway for young talent to make their first team, but are now in need of an urgent short-term fix if they are to avoid dropping into League One.

Warnock, who had a short spell in caretaker charge at QPR earlier this season, was once a Rotherham player and would be a popular choice among supporters.

Rotherham parted company yesterday with coach Andy Hughes who was brought in by Redfearn from Bolton Wanderers before Christmas.

Meanwhile, a former Premier League player was among two trialists who appeared in the reserve side which lost 2-0 against Notts County yesterday.

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One-time Crystal Palace winger Jerome Thomas, aged 32, was named in the team with ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder Guy Moussi, 31.

Thomas, whose previous clubs also include Charlton Athletic and West Bromwich Albion, has been training with the club for around a fortnight while Moussi has been with them for the last couple of days.

Greg Halford - dropped by the manager who signed him, Evans, and then told he had no Millers future when Redfearn was in charge - also played.