Neil Redfearn: Rotherham United appoint ex-Leeds head coach

Neil Redfearn led Leeds to 15th in the Championship last season

Rotherham United have appointed former Leeds United head coach Neil Redfearn as their manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The 50-year-old left Elland Road at the end of last season after guiding the Whites to 15th in the Championship.

He replaces Steve Evans, who left Rotherham last month after more than three years in charge.

Redfearn's first game as Millers boss will be the trip to fellow strugglers Brentford on Saturday, 17 October.

The former Barnsley, Charlton and Bradford midfielder takes over at the New York Stadium with Rotherham 21st in the second tier.

The Millers had an approach to talk to Walsall boss Dean Smith rejected on Thursday.

They said in a statement: "Redfearn came out on top after a meticulous selection process where he impressed chairman Tony Stewart and the board of directors with his vision for the future of the club.

"The 50-year-old, who has vast experience of coaching at all levels, plus experience of managing at Championship level, will speak about his new appointment for the first time on Monday."

Evans guided the Millers to back-to-back promotions from League Two to the Championship in his first two full seasons in charge after taking over in April 2012.

They struggled last season and finished 21st in the second tier but avoided relegation by five points.

However, they started this season poorly, picking up just two points from their first seven games prior to successive wins over Cardiff and Birmingham before Evans left the club.

Redfearn's final game in charge of Leeds was against Rotherham on the last day of last season.

He took over at Elland Road in October 2014 after spending six years with the club's academy.