Rotherham United’s struggles in the Championship have culminated in the sacking of head coach Leam Richardson, just two weeks after their relegation to League One was confirmed. The Millers have endured a torrid campaign, sitting 22 points adrift of safety with only three games remaining. Richardson, who took charge in December following the dismissal of Matt Taylor, managed to secure just two wins out of his 24 games at the helm.
Rotherham United wasted no time in initiating the search for a new first-team manager, with the club stating that further communication regarding the appointment will follow in due course. Assistant coach Rob Kelly has also left the South Yorkshire club as part of the restructuring process.
It is worth noting that Rotherham is not alone in grappling with managerial changes this season. They join Huddersfield, Birmingham, Millwall, Plymouth, and Sunderland as one of the six Championship teams that have undergone managerial changes at least twice during this tumultuous campaign.
Leam Richardson’s appointment was met with optimism, as the former Wigan boss brought experience to a struggling team. However, he faced an uphill battle from the start, taking over a club rooted to the bottom of the table. The team remained in this position throughout his tenure, ultimately sealing their fate with a 1-0 home defeat against Plymouth on April 5th. Their subsequent losses to West Brom and Swansea only compounded their woes.
BBC Radio Sheffield’s sport manager, Rob Staton, sheds light on the challenges Richardson faced during his tenure. Issues with the training ground and infrastructure hampered progress on and off the pitch. Rotherham’s inability to secure an away win since November 2022 further exemplifies their struggles. Staton raises an important question concerning Rotherham’s future: how can they compete against big clubs in the Championship without significant financial investment?
The incoming manager will face an arduous task of reshaping the squad and constructing a competitive team in League One. The landscape of the league has changed, making it more challenging than ever before. Rotherham, known for their ability to escape League One, now face the daunting task of rebuilding and finding success in a highly competitive division.