Rotherham United: Warnock heads list as Millers close on new boss

The Millers are keen to make an appointment by the weekend after sacking Neil Redfearn on Monday and have narrowed down the hunt to “two or three” candidates.

The Star understands that interviews are being held today as assistant boss Nicky Eaden, who is handling this afternoon’s usual press-conference duties, continues to prepare the team for Saturday’s home clash with Birmingham City.

Rotherham need to recruit quickly as they are in the bottom three and, with only 16 games left this season, time is running out in their survival bid.

“There are a lot of managers out of work,” said chairman Tony Stewart. “When you filter that down, we are looking for someone who has got that experience and X factor. There are two or three we are interested in.”

The Millers are targeting someone with strong knowledge of the second tier, who has worked at that level before and who is prepared to come in as a short-term fix.

“It is commendable that certain people are saying ‘look, let’s just have the 16 games’, Stewart added. “People out there like a challenge.”

Former Sheffield United boss Warnock would be a hugely popular appointment among supporters but, with terms still to be discussed, his arrival is by no means guaranteed.

Ex-Sheffield Wednesday head coach Stuart Gray is believed to be another strong contender, although he is coaching at Fulham who want to keep him in South-west London, while former Rotherham player Gary Bowyer, who parted company with Blackburn Rovers earlier this season, is available and thought to be interested.

One-time Blackpool boss Lee Clark and former Newcastle United caretaker manager John Carver are available and would be keen on the role.

Meanwhile, midfielder Chris Maguire, who left the Millers for League Two Oxford United in the transfer window, says he was frozen out at Rotherham after a loan spell with the U’s.

“You go back and you know game-time is going to be limited,” he said. “I ended up training with the kids, so that was obviously frustrating, but I am just happy to put that behind me and look forward.

“It can knock your confidence, but I rose above it. I went in and worked hard, tried to help the kids and enjoy it because if you beat yourself up about it then you only get mad with yourself.”

Maguire never showed his best form after joining Rotherham following his departure from Sheffield Wednesday and his one-year contract was terminated by mutual consent on February 1.

Midfield man Ben Pringle, a hero of Rotherham’s back-to-back promotions in 2013 and 2014, is in line for a loan move from Fulham to Ipswich Town.

Former Millers manager Ronnie Moore, who once led the club from League Two to the Championship, has been sacked by League Two Hartlepool United.

Click here for more Millers news