The former Stoke City boss has been out of work since ending a brief spell at Southampton earlier this year. He has been an occasional pundit for BBC Radio 5Live but he has been keen to get back into the dug-out, hoping to recapture the success he had over two spells at Luton Town.

Chairman Tony Stewart has set out his intention that the new manager will have experience as a manager in the second tier – and another former Stoke manager, Gary Rowett, is also being linked with the post, as well as ex-Wigan chief Leam Richardson.

A 4-1 defeat to Hull City on Tuesday night put Rotherham second bottom in the league table and interim manager Wayne Carlisle isn’t sure if he will still hold the reins for this weekend’s match against Birmingham, saying: “I haven’t been told anything. I dare say my phone will ring at some point tomorrow and I’ll find out what the next steps are.

“I’m happy to do it, I’m really enjoying doing it. We’ve done our prep for Saturday today. We’re ready to go if needed.”