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No job here, but Millers back retired Richie
Officials at Rotherham United believe Richie Barker has all the attributes to become a 'top' manager - but will not be offering their former striker a coaching role at Don Valley, due to financial constraints.
Barker announced his retirement from the game last week a day before his 34th birthday, after failing to recover from a knee injury.
The former England youth international started his playing career at Sheffield Wednesday and enjoyed two spells with the Millers.
He is already involved in coaching youngsters at Sheffield United's Shirecliffe Academy.
"Richie will make a top manager," Paul Douglas, Rotherham's chief operating officer, said.
"He has an ability to analyse situations, is a very intelligent chap, thoughtful, a good communicator and very articulate.
"Richie has gone some way to getting his coaching badges, and is not somebody who will fall back on waiting for others to help him."
Barker, also described as a 'model professional' by Douglas, had unsuccessful surgery on the knee problem earlier this year. After rejoining Rotherham in October, he scored on his first appearance as a substitute against Grimsby Town but made only five starts in total.
Barker is now expected to continue studying for his coaching badges, but will not return to the Millers in the short term in a coaching capacity, Douglas confirmed.
"We did discuss the possibility of a coaching role at Rotherham and he thought about it, but we are a small club with a small budget and didn't have positions we could create," he said.
Striker Jamie Clarke has signed a one year deal with Lincoln City following his release by the Millers.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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