Fans have been left stunned as Steve Evans QUITS as manager of Stevenage and takes the job at Rotherham United.
This comes just a few hours after the Millers confirmed the decision to sack Leam Richardson, weeks after the club were relegated from the Championship.
Evans returns to Rotherham, of whom he led from League Two up to the Championship in his first spell in charge between 2012 and 2015.
The Scot will again be assisted at the New York Stadium by Paul Raynor.
#StevenageFC confirms that Steve Evans has left his role as First Team manager to join Rotherham United, effective immediately.
— Stevenage FC ????⚪ (@StevenageFC) April 17, 2024
???????????????? ????????????????????, ????????’???? ????????????????! ✍#rufc | #ForeverTogetherForeverProud
— Rotherham United (@RotherhamUnited) April 17, 2024
STEVENAGE STATEMENT:
Stevenage Football Club confirms that Steve Evans has left his role as First Team manager to join Rotherham United, effective immediately…
Following an official approach and compensation being met, Evans departs after just over two years at the Club, taking Stevenage from League Two to the top-half of League One.
The 61-year-old led Stevenage to promotion to League One last season and has overseen a play-off chasing campaign this season, with the side currently sitting in 9th place.
Chairman Phil Wallace said, “It’s not what we wanted, but compensation clauses are in place for a reason and these things happen in football.
“The approach was unexpected but handled in the right manner by both clubs and we told Steve that, after all he’d done for our Club, we would not stand in his way if the compensation terms were met and he wanted to leave.
“We are a totally different club from two years ago and we will start the recruitment process immediately for next season to give us the best chance of continuing to improve on and off the pitch.
“Steve will always be welcome at The Lamex as far as I’m concerned and it’s been a privilege to work with him for the last two years”.
Paul Raynor will also leave the Club, while Alex Revell will take charge for our remaining two fixtures.
ROTHERHAM STATEMENT:
Rotherham United are delighted to welcome back Steve Evans as the club’s new first team manager.
Evans returns to AESSEAL New York Stadium alongside assistant Paul Raynor, with the duo signing contracts which will run until 2027.
Talks with Steve, Paul and their representatives were opened upon permission being granted by Stevenage and the swift nature in which they were concluded outlines the desire of the club, Steve and Paul to make this move happen.
Evans will return to the club alongside his Assistant Paul Raynor.
The pair – who led the club to back-to-back promotions from Sky Bet League Two to the Championship between 2012 and 2014 – will meet with the squad and staff on Thursday and are now preparing for their first game back in charge of the Millers against Birmingham City at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday.
Conversations held at Board level were unanimously in agreement that change was necessary to ensure the continued progression of the football club.
Millers Chairman Tony Stewart also confirmed that Evans’ return will coincide with Rob Scott’s focus being concentrated in his area of expertise, where he will remain on the Board as Director of Football Recruitment.
Rotherham United Chairman Tony Stewart told www.themillers.co.uk:
“On behalf of everyone at Rotherham United, I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Steve Evans and Paul Raynor back to the football club.
“Leam and Rob’s departure was not something we took lightly, but following extensive conversations at Board level, it was unanimously agreed that a change of direction was needed to give us the best possible chance of bouncing back to the Sky Bet Championship at the first time of asking.
“In Steve and Paul, we have two individuals that understand the Rotherham United ‘DNA’ and know what it takes to build a successful team. They have a proven track record of success at a plethora of clubs, including our own.”
“Finally, I would like to place on record my thanks to Leam Richardson and Rob Kelly for their efforts and it goes without saying that they leave with the very best wishes of everyone here at Rotherham United.”
A press conference unveiling Steve as the club’s new manager will be held at AESSEAL New York Stadium in the coming days.
As mentioned fans are left stunned as Steve Evans QUITS Stevenage and takes the job at Rotherham…
@padthemiller: Wasn’t sure 1st time not sure now but OMG it’ll be fun ????????????
@EuanCarter26: Wow oh wow ????????????????
@TSFCPodcast: Jesus. You know what people, won’t be happy. What Steve achieved with us is nothing short of unbelievable. Gutted he’s gone!!
@lukeigoe: HOLY SHIT!!! Goooosebumps!!!
@epouvantail:
✅ Join a club and get a tune out of a demotivated squad
✅ Convince the hierarchy to spend big and back you
✅ Jump at the first opportunity at a notionally bigger club
✅ Rinse and repeat in 24 months
@adamcmb_: This is why no one likes the bloke. Everyone knew he’d leave Stevenage the moment another job comes along. Doing it at this point in the season with something left to play for is peak Steve Evans
@HarryRUFC1: HERE HE ISSS
@MARKRIT: Is this bad news? Judging by mid season performance it looked as though he was close to maxing out capability wise. We’re safe for next season. Maybe fresh ideas is the way forward.
@TheoWatsonTDC: Thought stevenage were gonna be the favourites in the play-offs steve? ????
@FarleySFC94: GUTTED….. and to be honest just didn’t see it coming! You know what, Steve has done an unbelievable job for our club and changed the trajectory of where we were heading. An incredible 2 years! ❤️
@GironaExpat: Big blow for Stevenage. Has done amazing for them. Not surprised though. They must be at their ceiling whereas the Millers can go that step further into the championship. He might even be the one to get them up and keep them up. I hope so, I have a soft spot for Rovrum.
@jamezymaryan: Well I was not expecting this today.
@bluewhitewall: That has come out of nowhere. Quick work by Rotherham, interesting Steve Evans has gone straight away and shown no loyalty or respect to Stevenage fans. Stevenage could easily struggle without him. Rotherham will be favourites to go back up.
@jordanpomeroy00: He’ll go down as one of our all time great managers and we can only thank him for what he’s done in his time at the club. Going to be an extremely tough act to follow. ????
@TomCarter009: WTAF
@92_jackrich: We did tell you he’d be off, absolutely no loyalty wherever he goes ????????
@ChazFaz290306: Thank you Steve for an amazing two seasons one with promotion and this one slugging it with the big boys until the final handful of games. Good luck at Rotherham, always be welcome back at the Lamex. Saved us from non league.
@MaxLewis070: We tried to tell you it would end in tears…
@Michael_Elvin14: Best day ever.. ????????
@Lingo_2606: We are so back
@elliewells7: Ahhhh there’s your loyal Steve Evans ????????????
@AtBlundellPark: Surprised Stevenage fans thought this bloke had loyalty in him ????????
— Jamie Martin (@ImJamieMartin) April 17, 2024
