Rotherham sack their manager after 5-0 defeat and just two wins from opening 16 league games

Rotherham United have decided to sack their manager Matt Taylor after a 5-0 defeat and just two wins from opening 16 league games.

Two goals from Mileta Rajovic put the in-form Watford in a comfortable position by the end of the first half.

Then Kayembe, Ince and Martins made it 5-0 late-on to continue the Hornets’ fine run of form to take them up to 13th, also unbeaten in six, which is their best league run since April 2021, conceding just three goals in that spell.

The Millers are now third bottom, winless away in 21 league games, and have picked up just one point from their eight games on the road in the Championship this season.

The result spells an end to Matt Taylor’s stay at the club, lasting 13 months, and managed to keep the club in the second tier last season.

Speaking after defeat to Watford, Taylor said via the club website: “First half we were in the game but nowhere near it in terms of the goals we conceded.

“Poor individual moments really cost us but we had the right bodies on the pitch.

“The second half unravelled and we found ourselves 2-0 down and had to chase the game.

“The manner in which the goals went in and the scoreline was unforgivable.

“That is a group of players who are believing and are capable than better of that in those moments.

“In the second half, with us chasing the game and the bodies we had left on the pitch was brutal to watch.

“It wasn’t as if it was like some of our away games where there was just constant pressure with Viktor making save after save. The game was going on and we were a goal down. The it went on again and we were 2-0 down. Then you have to chase the match and you open up the space against a good attacking team.

“Sam Clucas has a hamstring [problem], so does Cafu and so does Daniel Ayala. You couldn’t write it.”

POST-MATCH | It quickly got away from us – Taylor

Catch Matt Taylor’s thoughts following defeat at Vicarage Road. #rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud

— Rotherham United (@RotherhamUnited) November 11, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

Rotherham United can confirm that the club have parted company with first team manager Matt Taylor with immediate effect.

Taylor was appointed in October last year and guided the Millers to Sky Bet Championship survival in 2022/23, taking charge of 55 matches in total during his tenure.

The 41-year-old was relieved of his duties on Monday and leaves with our wholehearted thanks and best wishes for the future.

The search to appoint a new first team manager is already under way.

Rotherham United Chairman Tony Stewart said:

“It was felt by myself and the Board that we had to act now by making a managerial change in order to give ourselves the best possible chance of retaining our Sky Bet Championship status this season.

“We are grateful to Matt for his efforts over the course of the last year and it has not been an easy decision to make. It goes without saying that he leaves with the very best wishes of everyone here at Rotherham United.”

Rotherham United will be making no further comment at this time.

TOP SIX FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW ROTHERHAM BOSS

Sky Bet – 12:30pm – 13 Nov 2023
Gary Rowett – 5/1
Neil Warnock – 5/1
Chris Wilder – 9/1
John Eustace – 9/1
Gareth Ainsworth – 10/1
Steve Evans – 10/1
Garry Monk – 14/1
Paul Hurst – 14/1
Leam Richardson – 16/1
Mark Kennedy – 16/1

Sky Bet – 8pm – 13 Nov 2023
Chris Wilder – 3/1
Leam Richardson – 5/1
Neil Warnock – 5/1
Steve Evans – 5/1
Gary Rowett – 8/1
John Eustace – 10/1
Nathan Jones – 10/1

Sky Bet – 12pm – 14 Nov 2023
Steve Evans – 11/10
Chris Wilder – 4/1
Leam Richardson – 7/1
Gary Rowett – 8/1
Neil Warnock – 8/1
John Eustace – 11/1

Rotherham Advertiser reported on November 14th that Stevenage manager Steve Evans is among the names being discussed by Rotherham United. His team then went straight at the top of the list of favourites.

This is what fans said as Rotherham sack their manager after 5-0 defeat and just two wins from opening 16 league games…

@royalfunkness: Absolutely torn on this. Made the right moves behind the scenes and filled me with a lot of hope, but it rarely transitioned onto the pitch. Away performances have finished him off. Good luck Handsome Matt, I’m sure you’ll be a success at your next club

@sheffieldmiller: Really disappointing that the club haven’t played the long game with Taylor. Warne had two relegations. Think Taylor should have had longer. Stability always brings better results. Last time we recruited they weren’t exactly queuing up…🫣#rufc

@Weststand4: Don’t get this. Rushed, poor decision to me. Good luck Matt and his team. Something needed now Millers

@markdavison32: Personally think wrong decision… but lets hope the replacement can get us going.

@JRipley98: Respect for giving the league a bash with no experience, getting wins from top clubs and trying never the less. Good luck on the next club

@Finlay_Rufc5: Gutted really wanted it to work. Been screwed by injuries & players seem to have avoided a lot of blame recently for horror performances. Don’t think anyone could turn this around tbh but hopefully the appointment is made quickly

@ForeverRUFC: All the best to Matt and his staff, great bloke. Let’s hope the new appointment is a good one ❤️

@BCartledge_: Wanted it to work out with Taylor, but we now move on!💪🏼 Need to get it spot on now or I can see everyone saying TS out again

@X_WXLL1: No hard feelings on this, great bloke, good manager and will do well with someone further down the line of progression than us. Shame it hasn’t worked out though, possibly a step too far for him trying to rebuild a squad

@nmtfish: 2 wins all season & looking like a team void of ideas. No identity. No passion. The defeat at Hillsborough was the worst Derby performance I’ve EVER witnessed. 100% the right thing to do to give us absolutely any chance of getting a run together & try & stay up.

@NeilHawksworth4: I’m torn on this too. Seemed like a really good guy and there were moments where we looked like a proper championship team which i never saw with warne. But time after time, we would concede a goal to a team that wasn’t even getting out of 1st gear and it became very concerning

@Key_147: Will succeed at a club where he is given time with little expectation, there is a good manager in there but we just can’t afford to be cut further adrift and the football is absolutely boring, we was going out absolutely terrified. As much as I wanted change, wish MT all the best