Some Doncaster Rovers fans have been left gutted as the League One club confirm the permanent appointment of new manager Gary McSheffrey.
The 39-year-old has signed a one-year rolling contract with Donny sitting 23rd in the third tier with 16 points from 22 games played. They are also six points from safety.
McSheffrey took charge of Rovers on a caretaker basis following the sacking of Richie Wellens earlier this month, stepping up from his role as U18s boss.
During his interim spell as manager, Rovers won one of their four matches, beating Shrewsbury Town while suffering defeats to Oxford United and Sunderland as well as Mansfield Town in the FA Cup.
Doncaster Rovers are delighted to confirm the permanent appointment of Gary McSheffrey as the club’s first-team manager.https://t.co/pIwR6nVpny #DRFC pic.twitter.com/txgG5uXpwJ
— Doncaster Rovers FC (@drfc_official) December 29, 2021
CLUB STATEMENT:
Doncaster Rovers are delighted to confirm the permanent appointment of Gary McSheffrey as the club’s first-team manager.
The 39-year-old has been handed the role after an extensive recruitment process. McSheffrey has taken charge of Rovers’ past four fixtures in all competitions on a caretaker basis, and picked up his first win against Shrewsbury Town earlier in December.
His calming influence has had a noticeable effect with the players showing a positive response since he first took over at the start of December.
McSheffrey has shown his ability to develop players with several of the current first-team squad coming through under his management at Academy level.
His first game in permanent charge will be a trip to the Mazuma Stadium to take on Morecambe in Sky Bet League One on Sunday January 2.
Chairman David Blunt said: “The reaction we have seen from the team since Gary’s appointment, along with the excellent way he conducted himself during his interview for the job meant that we felt he was the best man to take the team forward. He understands the club, the existing squad personnel and showed a greater understanding of the needs of the team compared to many of his counterparts with experience at higher levels.
“He is a well-spoken character who has clearly had an impact in the short-term, and we will give him all the support he needs both in terms of player recruitment and support staff off the field to help the team get out of the position we currently find ourselves in on the pitch. As part of his support team, Gary has identified a senior mentor he would want to bring in to support him and recruitment for this position will start immediately. We also expect to finalise appointments for assistant manager, goalkeeping coach and set piece coach within the next few days.
“Our aim was always to have this appointment finalised before the start of the January transfer window, and with that now done our focus turns to strengthening the squad and looking forward to a strong second half of the campaign.”
As mentioned, Doncaster fans have been left gutted as the club confirm the permanent appointment of their new manager…
@bensmith20897: All this time to announce that. Farcical club.
@OCarrick01: no ambition, owners pulled the wool over our eyes again
@SallyHonch_x: Ive always been supportive even during Butler and Wellens era when everyone was negative, but i CANNOT see anything positive about this appointment. 140 applicants and we take someone out a role where hes doing a great job, and put him in a role he doesnt want! #drfc
@DRFCJM1: Announce a meet the owners please
@sam_thompson24: Absolute joke nothing against @McSheffreyGary at all but at this stage we need an experienced manager to give us a chance, league 2 is certain now I just hope we don’t do a southend and end up in the conference very worrying times #drfc
@RedMoshMan_RTID: He’ll have my full backing but what an absolute p!$$ take that was.
@RhysDRFC: Something like this took Plymouth 3 hours btw. Took us weeks… and we had “160 applicants” with tons of experience. Joke.
@shauny_DRFC: 4 weeks to announce your under 18s manager. Will back him as always. But I wonder do the board actually understand the trouble we are in?
@Reeeeeeeeeev: @NTT20Pod bizarre decision making at #DRFC continues. Lost 3 out of 4 games in charge (all at home), team has looked seriously out of its depth in several, and he’s given the permanent job.Board’s philosophy of cost-cutting seems to take precedence over survival in L1.
@drfcmiller: League 2 tour
@thomasr06114967: Give me strength, 140 applicants, 6 short listed and this is what you come up with. No wonder the majority of the fans have no confidence in the board, knackered.
@southstandclez: Crap lack lustre football and league 2 here we come
@SimonBaines98: 4 weeks process uno 😂
@DRFC4EVER: So why all the lies at the meet the owners event. I wish him all the best and I will support him. He must have a great CV if he meets all the criteria you talked about.
@RodgerBuckley: Bloody hell. I know I had a bit of a lay in this morning, but I didn’t realise it was April 1st already. I’m trying to find a positive in this announcement, but I’m struggling. I suppose the positive is that we get at least one season in League 2 before we’re down and out again!
Looks like the board have nailed the job spec 🙈 pic.twitter.com/4QRaiA2Izi
— Scott Hibbett (@Scottyh5) December 29, 2021
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