Rotherham suffer another setback as manager turns down chance after holding talks

Rotherham United once again suffer yet another setback as manager Mat Sadler turns down the chance after holding talks.

Pete O’Rourke tweeted on the 16th of June: “Understand Mat Sadler has turned down the chance to become Rotherham’s new manager.

“The former Walsall boss held talks with the League Two club about taking charge, but after lengthy discussions Sadler has opted to reject the opportunity with the Millers. #rufc”

Understand Mat Sadler has turned down the chance to become Rotherham’s new manager. The former Walsall boss held talks with the League Two club about taking charge, but after lengthy discussions Sadler has opted to reject the opportunity with the Millers. #rufc pic.twitter.com/aCQD5Ukcvy

— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) June 16, 2026

At the beginning of the month, they missed out on Ian Burchnall who has reportedly turned down a deal to join the recently relegated club.

Head of football Steve McClaren believed Burchnall was to be announced, but according to Rotherham Advertiser, the League Two side weren’t able to reach a financial agreement, with Ian now looking at other interest.

Training returns later this month, new players are needed due to the mass exodus, and now Rotherham are having to consider other managerial candidates.

Lee Clark had been appointed manager of Rotherham until the end of the 2025–26 season, but was left in the dark about where he had a future at the club, and then failed to agree a new deal, leaving and since becoming Hartlepool’s new manager. More on that HERE.

More frustration for fans as Rotherham suffer yet another setback as manager Mat Sadler turns down the chance after holding talks…

@miller83862: The fact two managers who’s last EFL jobs were Forest Green & Walsall don’t want to join us tells you everything you need to know about the current state of the club. Stewart out. Not a penny more til he’s gone. #rufc

@__IrufcI__: Club banging on bout 4k season ticket sales. How many will actually be there start of season? Majority are auto renew and I know so many people who were waiting to see how this pans out before cancelling. I’d say a good % are a few days away from cancelling / mind made up 🤷‍♂️ After last few years and farce since end of season theres no way if new manager isnt in and well backed soon me or anyone we go with will be carrying on season ticket. Thats not saying support stops its not funding TS’s holidays whilst putting 0 back in and letting us rot. Leam Richardson was 3rd/4th choice because the inept board couldn’t get who they wanted, nothings changed. Who’s going to want to come and not have a say on signings? No money to spend, no proper squad to even build on. Rejected from someone not good enough to begin with. #rufc

@smith98_josh: Sell the fucking club Tony. You’re an absolute disgrace and take the rats below you, with you. Stewart out. #rufc

@SHD_Backup: Is this not deeply concerning for Rotherham given the history of Sadler’s bottling Saddlers? 😳🤔

@MrMillerMan1925: What do we do now prepare for non league or worse #rufc

@KiranExley: 😂😂😂 circus continues

@mikem990: Whatever happened to having a shortlist, and interviewing multiple candidates at the same time. #rufc

@CraigGoater87: Why can’t #rufc just be a normal club eh

@kevjohnson77: I’m literally past the point of caring about #rufc now. The disconnect is huge and doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon #circus

@MillersMum1986: Beyond concerning now! Over 80 days without a manager – nearly 50 since Lee Clarke. The board are no longer fit for purpose. What are the demands that no manager wants it? Woody will get it you watch! National league tour incoming!

@rufcmiller89: At best I think we get relegated next year. At worse we might even go under. Not seen or heard anything to dissuade me of this.. Hope I’m wrong. This lack of movement is catastrophic. We’re a joke. 3 weeks till pre season and we’re on our *checks notes* 3rd choice manager. Literally no one wants us. Relegation looms. It’s gonna be Richard Wood isn’t it. Sigh. This will be our 3rd (4th?)managerial appointment in whixb we have to appoint our 3rd (or worse) choice manager. If you don’t think Tony Stewart and the board are the problem then I’ve got some beans to sell you

@AlmightyMcMuff: My theory on this whole situation is that McLaren actually has nothing to do with club and isn’t going to it’s all another rouse to get bums on seats. It’s a selling point. Like when we appointed Evans back? Was that really for the good of the football club? Sales that’s it. Matt Hamshaw sacked in march appointed Clarke who took the club under his wing and identified the plan and stated we need to be fast out the starting blocks. He was fucked about and still weeks after we have no first team hardly and no coach and no signs of improvement. No need to panic though cause the Facebook faithful just tell you to be patient and trust the process. The process is nothing short of a disgrace and once again our chances of next season have dropped massively least we’ll get that better striker? We need a team first