Chairman Tony Stewart talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Rotherham United Chairman Tony Stewart says that newly-appointed first team boss Kenny Jackett was the standout managerial candidate from all of his previous searches during his time at the helm of the club.
The Millers wasted no time in swooping for the services of the 54-year-old, who was appointed as Alan Stubbs’ successor just two days after confirmation of his departure and Stewart insists he was happy to act quickly to appoint a manager that ticked all the right boxes.
“It was probably the best interview I have had with somebody since I took over the club,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“Kenny was available and we acted swiftly because we knew that he has got the experience, he has managed a great club like Wolves and if you check the stats out his record is superb.
“We had a good feeling he would be right, then when we sat down to interview him I liked his enthusiasm. We talked about the players, the style of play and he was talking our language – he was talking Rotherham football.
“We had long meetings with him, he spoke with confidence and the Board members who were present were very impressed with what he had to say, and what he could do for Rotherham United.”
Jackett arrives in the AESSEAL New York Stadium hotseat with a wealth of experience at second tier level having managed the likes of Millwall and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the division and the Millers’ Chairman is hoping that will bear fruit as he looks to lift the club off the foot of the Sky Bet Championship.
“We are very excited to have someone who has the experience that he does in The Championship, and I think that will make a big difference as we move forward,” Stewart continued.
“I’m not looking for miracles, I’m looking for a guy that knows what he is doing and can get the systems working like we have seen in the past and start making statements in the Championship, but more importantly getting the points that we feel we’ve lost.”
The Millers spent fees in the summer to add the likes of Will Vaulks and Dominic Ball to the ranks, including a record-breaking sum to bring Jon Taylor to South Yorkshire but the Millers Chairman insists the new manager will receive similar backing should he require it when the window reopens in January.
“He talked about that and said ‘what about when the window becomes available’. We’ve had managers in the past that have had many, many players and we have history on that. As a Board, we’ve always worked with the manager and we want what he wants,” Stewart explained.
“These are lads that we felt, not just the manager, have got a part to play. I’m sure that when it comes to January he’ll be making certain demands and we’re here to work with him to build a team that is sustainable not just for this season, but the next two or three.”
The Watford-born boss will face his first test in Rotherham United colours on Saturday as Reading visit AESSEAL New York Stadium in the Sky Bet Championship and Stewart is confident that he will feel the benefit of the home crowd on his maiden outing at the weekend.
“I’m sure people will get behind the guy and I know that it will be something to kick us on again and it’s something that I’m looking forward to. I, like the fans, didn’t like the results that we were getting added to the investment that had gone it, it wasn’t right,” Stewart explained.
“I think it was crucial to get him in early because we have 11 games left before January, so he has time to take stock now and have a look and give opportunities to the players."