Rotherham baffle fans as they announce the surprise unexpected replacement for Matt Hamshaw, in Lee Clark as their new manager.
Clark becomes Millers boss on a deal until the end of the 2025/26 season, with his last managerial stint in the EFL at Bury back in 2017. It is also his first job as a boss since he left Sudanese club Al-Merrikh in 2022.
But now he is tasked with trying to keep Rotherham in League One, they sit 22nd in the table and are six points from safety with nine games to play.
According to Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko), Rotherham are said to be keen on Grimsby boss David Artell as their long term target.
We are delighted to welcome the vastly-experienced Lee Clark to the club as our first team manager. ✍️
He pens a s hort-term deal which runs until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
A press conference will be held with Lee on Thursday. 🗣️#RUFC | #TownCountyUnited
— Rotherham United (@RotherhamUnited) March 18, 2026
Rotherham sack Matt Hamshaw, with interims appointed following 5-0 defeat to Peterborough
CLUB STATEMENT:
Rotherham United are delighted to confirm that Lee Clark has been appointed as our first team manager on a deal until the end of the 2025/26 season.
The Millers have moved swiftly to install the vastly-experienced operator to the managerial hotseat at AESSEAL New York Stadium on a short-term contract following confirmation of Matt Hamshaw’s departure this morning.
The 53-year-old can call upon experience from a successful stint across the county with Huddersfield Town, while his CV is also decorated by time spent with the likes of Birmingham City, Blackpool and Kilmarnock.
Most recently, the Wallsend-born boss took charge of Al-Merrikh Sporting Club of the Sudan Premier League and he returns to management on his native shores with the Millers in an attempt to battle against relegation in Sky Bet League One.
The club will hold a press conference to unveil Lee as our new manager tomorrow during which he will preview the weekend’s trip to face Lincoln City, where he will oversee his first fixture as Rotherham United manager.
Rotherham sack Matt Hamshaw, with interims appointed following 5-0 defeat to Peterborough
Rotherham United baffle fans with the unexpected appointment of Lee Clark as their new manager…
@rknappy98: I think Rotherham can’t shock me more than they already have and they produce this. Last managed 4yrs ago in the Sudan Premier League and was SACKED after 51 days, has beef with Nikola Žigić and hasn’t managed in the EFL for 9yrs… I’m living in a fever dream. #RUFC #UTM 🔴⚪️
@AdamDobson_14: 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I can’t believe what I am seeing. Announced his retirement in 2023 and now back to fight a relegation battle when he hasn’t managed in England in 6 years
@rufc__cal: april fools day is a couple weeks away lads
@miller83862: In no way are the board off the hook but credit for appointing someone straight away. See what reaction we can get for 9 games then look again in summer. UTM.
@AlexWillis1889: Basket case club. Training ground pathetic. Staffing pathetic. The chairman with this appointment has lost the final bit of any legacy he had left. Saved the club now destroying it. Feel sorry for Millers fans.
@Danny260214: Absolutely no idea who he is but he’s better than Hamshaw. Get behind him he’s our last chance.
@JakeEllams1705: Where have we dug him up from 😂😂😂😂😂 #rufc
@OMGitsRy92: Left field choice that no one expected. Club acted fast, brought in some experience. All it needs is someone to give them some new ideas & belief, showed last night for 20 minute spell with depleted squad that we can cause problems. Don’t see a problem consider already down #rufc
@milldogs4: good on them for having an immediate replacement. still 99% certain it’s too late but let’s get behind them because they’ll need full support saturday. then a couple of more winnable games after. let’s get down to business on home stretch #rufc
@RyanDeeney2194: Genuinely had to do a double take.
@ReeceDSport: Sometimes I feel like going on a serious rant about Stevenage and then clubs do something that makes you go “it’s not all bad”
@bgannrufc: Not my 1st, 2nd, 3rd or even 20th choice but fuck it. Been there and done it before and a million times better than Hamshaw, let’s just get behind him. #rufc
@Harrison_Dobb: What the fuck am I reading…
@Dean_Webster94: Unexpected and club have acted fast. Can’t say I rate it at first thought tbh, but hopefully proves me wrong 🤷♂️
@boyarms1: Is this a wind up – I’m done
@leeson_jac97107: Let’s get behind him now with the last 9 cup finals whether you agree with the decision or not
@CraigyBoyBes: Just when you think the club can’t dumfound you anymore they do this #rufc
@Gordinhorufc: Fuckin Lee Clarke? We’re doomed might aswell get me in at this point as player-manager. Just paying random people off the street, appointment had to come from academy smh
@LewisOldham99: Didn’t expect this. Clark has previously won relegation battles with Birmingham, Kilmarnock and Bury, so can see why he’s been brought in. BUT he’s not managed in the football league since 2017 and is coming off three jobs in the Middle East (last ending in 2022). #RUFC
@Chris_Sando: There is some back story to this, and one i never expected to share. TS told me when we met him (I was in the band who did the Boys are Back in town ep, marking the opening of NYS) he was impressed with Lee Clarke, who was interviewed for the job prior to Evans first stint #rufc
Here we go again with the Rotherham connection, please can we just put it to bed once are for all? The reason we’re in this mess is because we keep insisting on hiring people that are related to the club. Bring someone in from the outside and let them build something. #rufc pic.twitter.com/KpCjJyQPXm
— BG (@bgannrufc) March 18, 2026
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