Former Gillingham manager Steve Evans has returned to Rotherham United after a successful two and a bit years in charge at Stevenage.
Evans took over at Stevenage in March 2022 – shortly after his sacking by Gillingham – with the task of pulling them clear of relegation trouble, which he did. Stevenage went from League 2 strugglers to promotion winners a year later and this season have been on the fringes of the League 1 play-off places.
Evans – along with trusted no.2 Raul Paynor – will take charge of Rotherham’s final two Championship games. Already relegated and bottom of the table, they host Birmingham City on Saturday.
The task next season will be to try and fight their way back up to the second-tier from League 1.
The Millers said: “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.”
Evans’ previous spell at Rotherham saw him enjoy back-to-back promotions between 2012-14, leading them to second spot behind the Gills in League 2 and then promotion to the Championship the following season.
He’s enjoyed more promotion success with Stevenage.
From taking over the club sitting 22nd in League 2, he leaves them ninth in League 1, in two years.
That success earned him another shot at the Rotherham United job, replacing head coach Leam Richardson who was sacked after their relegation from the Championship.
Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace said: “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 pair spent two and a half seasons with the Gills, the first two where they came close to making the League 1 play-offs, before struggling in the 2021/22 season as the club nosedived towards League 2, hampered by financial issues off the pitch brought about by the Covid pandemic.
He was sacked in January 2022 – two months after the club had rejected an official approach from Stevenage – and replaced by Neil Harris, who was unable to save them from the drop.
