Rotherham United are once again in advanced talks with another potential manager following multiple setbacks ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Rob Staton tweeted on Friday (26 June), the day after fixtures were released: “Understand Alex Bruce is a candidate to be the Head Coach at Rotherham United.
“Has been First Team coach at Salford City — and prior to that was in charge of Macclesfield.
“Steve McClaren said in his club interview this week that #RUFC were close to naming a Head Coach.”
Pete O’Rourke added that Rotherham United were “in advanced talks to name former Salford and Macclesfield coach Alex Bruce as their new manager.”
Understand Alex Bruce is a candidate to be the Head Coach at Rotherham United. Has been First Team coach at Salford City — and prior to that was in charge of Macclesfield. Steve McClaren said in his club interview this week that #RUFC were close to naming a Head Coach. pic.twitter.com/odKgf55JlQ
— Rob Staton (@robstaton) June 26, 2026
Rotherham United are in advanced talks to name former Salford and Macclesfield coach Alex Bruce as their new manager. #RUFC pic.twitter.com/tJGVgz4KIZ
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) June 26, 2026
Can the Millers finally get a deal done?
They are back in League Two for the first time since the 2012-13 season, but preparations haven’t gone well, Mat Sadler turned down the chance to become their new manager after holding talks
They missed out on Ian Burchnall who reportedly turned down a deal to join, andLee Clark, who was appointed manager of Rotherham until the end of the 2025–26 season, failed to agree a new deal.
Here’s how fans reacted amid reports Rotherham are in advanced talks with another potential manager following multiple setbacks…
@OwlsReborn: Really worry for them Rob. Especially after the TS horror show interview. After relegation to L2 you’d have thought they would have wanted to start on the front foot and kick on immediately. This must be their 4th choice for the job. Looks awful from the outside.
@__IrufcI__: Unfortunately this is all we’re going to get. We’ve tried to go down the proper manager route and ain’t happening, no one is going to come and have everything apart from team selection dictated to him. Coach just to front the media, McLaren doing everything else. Not against him btw, just massive risk.
@Shaundavies1884: Essentially that’s all we need, a decent coach that only has to coach
@miller83862: Last time we were in League 2 we went & took a side on the brink of promotion’s manager off them. Now we’re wanting a coach from Salford who’s only managerial experience was 3 months in the Northern Premier League. Tells you everything you need to know about TS these days. #rufc
@smith98_josh: Big risk on Alex Bruce, but he’ll have experience behind him with Steve Agnew and McLaren. Speaks well on Salfords YouTube series. Heavily involved in the coaching and tactics. Back the team, not the regime. Stewart out. #rufc
@twinjoe1986: Agree no established manager would come with the setup we have with mcclaren. Was always going to be a younger coach stepping up. Mcclaren will do most of tactics and signings, Bruce job will be the physical training side
@smith98_josh: Main thing is, he’s got experience behind him. Like warne had. One of the main things why hamshaw failed was because he had no one behind him with experience
@CraigGoater87: Agnew is good experience as well
Rotherham issue lengthy update with interview from Steve McClaren as fans voice concerns
@Jarvo87: Its to do with Mclaren aswell pulling the plug on other candidates got to admit doesn’t look good from the outside as they just seem to look slow at everything they r doing
@JoanneA10178281: First reactions to the Alex Bruce news were mixed but having seen some Salford fan views, I feel encouraged. Many seem unhappy about the managerial changes there. SM seems very hands on so an experienced manager would not work. Just need someone in the building. I know I will get stick for this but surely this summer has illustrated the difficulties Matt Hamshaw must have faced on a day to day basis. He did his best here without the luxury of a Director of Football. Can we draw a close on the criticism. He is one of us. #rufc
@ch21scfc_: wish him nowt but the best
@craigthemiller: Let’s get Alex in announce the players signed and let’s get building again !!! Fresh start needed #rufc
@LeighLennon04: Salford fan here fantastic appointment this you’ll be at least playoffs in my opinion with him in charge
@oafc24: Would say cheap option but this is under that
@Jarvo87: Only type of option where guna get with Mclaren running the show coming in as a head coach is not guna appeal to decent available managers
@Dave1822UK: They should just do a raffle for it at this point
Sounds positive and Alex Bruce will get my backing to give him a chance like any other manager, good experience beside him with Agnew
However what worries me is this comment 👇 that late hitch obviously means he’s not met that old todger yet #rufc https://t.co/zZyAPuzMoF pic.twitter.com/qAdVvKM7i9
— Craig Winter (@CraigGoater87) June 26, 2026
