Steve Evans has revealed he was emotional about leaving Rotherham United, but he insists it was the right time for a parting of the ways.
The 52-year-old joined the Millers in April 2012, and led them to promotion when they clinched second place in League Two on the final day of the season. This progress continued the following campaign in League One, when he led the club to the playoff final where they drew 2-2 with Leyton Orient before earning a successive promotion via a penalty shootout.
Rotherham struggled against an instant relegation during the 2014/15 season, but eventually finished one place and five points above the bottom three. But these difficult times have continued into the current edition, and despite moving off the foot of the table at the weekend, Evans left his post as manager after talking with chairman Tony Stewart on Monday.
“We’ve had a lot of meetings, but the last few times we met, especially on Monday, there were hurdles we just couldn’t get over,” he said. “Myself and the chairman are two men of huge integrity and we just thought that we wanted to go in different directions, and I think we both felt that. It was genuinely amicable. It was a sad moment but it was the right time.
“We reminisced about the times we’ve had, and about things we can both learn from. It was a surreal conversation but we shook hands and had a bear hug, and there were tears from both sides. Every day it was known the respect I have for the man and that relationship will continue for as long as I’m in this world and I’m sure the chairman will echo those sentiments.”
Meanwhile, it hasn’t taken long at all for Evans to be linked with other jobs. Sources in Scotland claim the former Boston United and Crawley Town boss could be heading back to his homeland with either Motherwell or Dundee United, both of whom are in the market for new leadership after sacking Ian Baraclough and Jackie McNamara respectively this week.
“I don’t know too much about those jobs, other than that both managers there have been sacked,” he told Sky Sports. “Motherwell and Dundee United are two terrific football clubs, and I’m sure there are many managers that have been on the phone. Myself and my assistant (Paul Raynor) are ready to go back to work but it has to be the right club at the right time.”
