Rotherham
begin life after Steve Evans today after the club expressed their
surprise at his departure.
The
Millers parted company with Evans on Monday, bringing an end to a
hugely successful three and a half years, where the Scot led the club
from League Two to Championship safety.
Evans
left after a meeting with chairman Tony Stewart on Monday, despite
overseeing back-to-back wins, after the two parties were wanting the
club to go in “different directions”.
Despite
a statement suggesting the decision was mutually agreed, the exact
reasons of Evans' departure are shrouded in mystery, with rumours
rife of a bust-up between the Scot and Stewart over Evans trying to
force a move to Peterborough.
The
fact the Millers expressed their shock at Monday's events adds weight
to the situation developing quickly.
Their
statement read: “It has all come as a surprise but Rotherham United
must move forward and the search for a new first-team manager will
begin immediately. “Replacing Steve Evans and Paul Raynor will
indeed be a strenuous task for the board.”
The
timing certainly raises eyebrows given the Millers' recent upturn in
form.
Evans'
position had been questioned earlier on this season after a poor
start to the campaign and speculation linking him to the Posh job,
but after taking seven points from four games, the storm had
seemingly past, particularly with the appointment at London Road of
Graham Westley.
Evans and assistant Paul Raynor did not address his players or staff before leaving his position.
Evans and assistant Paul Raynor did not address his players or staff before leaving his position.
Caretaker
manager Eric Black, who has had caretaker spells at Birmingham,
Sunderland and Wigan, took training on Monday as Evans and Raynor were absent and he will continue to prepare the Millers
for their televised clash with Burnley on Friday.
Black
is reported to have prepared the side for last weekend's 2-0 success
at Birmingham.
The
club have insisted they will not comment any further until a
successor is found, with former Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart
Gray, former Leeds boss Neil Redfearn and ex-Reading manager Brian
McDermott the early frontrunners.
The
Millers pause their Championship campaign for the second
international break of the season after Friday's visit of Burnley, a
period which could provide ample time for the recruitment of Evans' replacement,
with the possibility of a new man in charge for the trip to Brentford
on October 17.
Meanwhile,
Evans has been made 2/1 second favourite for the vacant managerial
position at Doncaster.
