Carlton Palmer makes exciting Rotherham United, Steve Evans prediction | OneFootball

Evans has left Stevenage to re-join the Millers. The Scottish boss previously took charge of the club from April 2012 to September 2015. He returns to South Yorkshire on a three-year deal, with Rotherham having paid compensation to Stevenage for the Scotsman and assistant Paul Raynor.

Richardson had been announced as Rotherham's new head coach in December, signing a three-year contract with the club almost a month after they had sacked Matt Taylor. In doing so, he inherited a squad that was bottom of the Championship and had managed just one win upon their return to the second tier, with eight points from their opening 15 games.

Although he wasn't able to turn their fortunes around, Richardson was thought to be taking them into League one with his only full season managing in that division seeing him win the title during the 2021/22 campaign with Wigan Athletic.

Many believe that Rotherham could potentially be making a massive mistake by sacking him and assistant Rob Kelly ahead of the summer.

Carlton Palmer' Leam Richardson verdict

Ex-England international Carlton Palmer believes the Millers have made the right decision, in spite of Richardson's good record in League One, with Evans expected to do well in familiar surroundings.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said: "Rotherham have decided to part company with their manager, Leam Richardson.

"This follows relegation from the Championship back to League One. They have had a really poor season.

"They sit bottom of the Championship after 43 games on 23 points, so it's really not been a good campaign from Richardson. "He has a good track record in League One, but before he was appointed, there was talk of Steve Evans returning to the club for a second spell. "He has a really good relationship with the chairman, and there were reports that Evans may return at the point of Taylor's sacking. "Obviously, it wasn't the right time, and he leaves his present club just short of the play-offs. "Steve Evans is a very good manager, and he's proven it at that level. "So, I don't think they'll regret sacking Richardson. They have said they need to in a new direction. "I think with Evans returning to the club, and if he has the funds that I am sure he will have been assured of before taking over, that he can get them back to the Championship next season. "It was always going to be a problem, with Rotherham being such a yo-yo club and going up and down, and that's why Paul Warne decided to move to pastures new. "As a manager, you want to be able to take the next step. Unfortunately, with Rotherham, with the resources they have, they are not able to do that.

"So, they go down to League One and back to the Championship. I am sure Steve Evans will do a fantastic job at Rotherham United, although it's unfortunate for Leam Richardson."

Rotherham could come to regret Richardson sacking

Although Evans should do well, as Palmer alludes to, it is a strange decision with Richardson considering his League One exploits with Wigan.

His achievements at the DW Stadium cannot be understated, having been dealt several problems far out of his control, yet battling through adversity and helping the club regain their Championship status.

It's hard to see a world where Richardson will be short of suitors upon his sacking by Rotherham, with many likely to be looking at his achievements in League One over what has happened in difficult circumstances this season, and potentially offering him a way back into management.