Former Crawley Town and Leeds United manager leaves Stevenage for relegated Championship side

Rotherham United confirmed earlier today that the club had parted company with first team Head Coach Leam Richardson with immediate effect following the club’s relegation from the Championship where they only mustered four wins all season.

And within two hours, Rotherham announced Evans as the new man in charge. A club statement read: “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.

"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.”

Stevenage 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.”

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.

Evans famously took Crawley Town the Football League and gained promotion from League Two to League One at their first attempt in a five year spell, before joining Rotherham United.

During his time at Reds, he took them to fifth round of the FA Cup which resulted in a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.

Evans has since managed Leeds United, Peterborough United, Mansfield Town and Gillingham.