Tony Stewart drops major Rotherham United update after Steve Evans exit | OneFootball

Rotherham United interim manager Matt Hamshaw has impressed in the dugout since the departure of Steve Evans.

Rotherham United chairman Tony Stewart has provided an update on the long-term future of interim manager Matt Hamshaw.

Stewart made the decision to part company with Steve Evans last month after a run of seven defeats in 11 League One games, with the Millers languishing well below where they would have hoped to be in the table at the beginning of the season following their relegation from the Championship.

Boyhood supporter Matt Hamshaw was subsequently named interim manager with Rotherham sitting 16th in the third tier, and he has already managed to lift them to 12th, having taken maximum points from his first three games in charge.

Consecutive victories against Northampton Town, Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers have brought somewhat of a feel-good factor back to the New York Stadium, and have also led to Stewart seriously considering Hamshaw as a candidate for the managerial role on a permanent basis.

Stewart provides update on Hamshaw's future

Rotherham chairman Stewart will seek to appoint Hamshaw as the club's next permanent manager if he continues to be successful during his spell in interim charge between now and the end of the season.

Stewart has been discussing the 43-year-old's long-term future in recent weeks, as per the Rotherham Advertiser.

"We know Matt is keen to impress between now and May to potentially earn a longer contract and we are certainly open to the possibility of that happening," Stewart said.

"Matt is an individual we can trust to deliver a product on and off the pitch which aligns with our vision for this club.

"It marks a new era at Rotherham United and an exciting one too. We are under no illusions that our season hasn't been as successful as we all wanted but I think it is vitally important that we look to the future rather than over our shoulders.

"An opportunity arises at a certain time and if the person takes that opportunity then things move on. We're going into this with a very open mind about the future."

Hamshaw himself seems to be enjoying life in the Rotherham hot seat, and he highlighted the togetherness of his squad as a key reason for their recent success following the hard-fought victory away against Bolton at the weekend, as per the Yorkshire Post.

"I love seeing them fight and battle, fight and scrap and represent us and the staff and fans," he said.

"I've said how much togetherness gets you through. It's alright having the best 11 players, but you need that togetherness.

"We've given the fans a bit of optimism and smiles back on faces in the town centre and around again and that's kind of our job."

The Rotherham-born interim boss will hope that he can continue to get the fans back onside during the remainder of the season, and if things go to plan, he could be the manager on a full-time basis going into the 2025/26 campaign.

Hamshaw must make the most of the run-in

Rotherham have five League One fixtures remaining before the end of the season, and Hamshaw will no doubt be desperate to make the most of them as he looks to convince Stewart that he is the right man for the job.

The Millers face play-off chasers Stockport County away from home this weekend, before their final four fixtures are against sides below them in the table.

With the players seemingly behind him, it is an excellent opportunity for Hamshaw to land the first permanent managerial role of his career, and considering Stewart's recent comments, there is every chance that he will be on the sideline for the opening game of next season.