Ex-Wigan Athletic chief reflects on 'worst 45 minutes as a manager'

The Millers - who lie rock bottom of the Championship - were hammered 5-0 by the Sky Blues, who were four goals to the good by the interval.

Ironically, it was a defeat at Coventry back in November 2022 that proved to be Richardson's last game in charge of Wigan.

And the 44-year-old - who took charge of Rotherham three months ago, with the club already eight points adrift of safety - will certainly not hold any happy memories of the place.

“That's the worst 45 minutes I've ever been involved in as a boss,” he acknowledged.

When asked whether too many of his players had raised the white flag, he replied: “That was the question at half-time.

“I don't shy away from honesty. We've been well beaten.”

Rotherham have won only once under Richardson - against Middlesbrough on Boxing Day - with 13 of their 17 games ending in defeat.

“I've been here for a number of weeks," added Richardson, sent on January loan signing Charlie Wyke for the last 20 minutes at Coventry, joining fellow Latics old-boy Christ Tiehi on the field. “It became clear quite quickly how many challenges we faced to move the club forward.

“I'll always back myself to move a club forward because I've done it in the past,” he said. “I've got a really strong record. At this level, you've got to be careful you don't open yourself up to nights like this because the level is too big.

“If we're not 100 per cent we will find ourselves on the end of things like this. It's the first time I've experienced it at this club. I'll do my best to make sure it will never happen again.”

"I'll take the blame, I'll take it on my shoulders, because I'm the man at the front of it, the man who puts them out there.

“With what we've got available, there's not a lot else we could have done.”

Whatever happens between now and the end of the campaign, Millers chairman Tony Stewart insists Richardson is the man to lead the rebuild.

“I want to give Leam what he wants so he can put his imprint on Rotherham United,” he said. “He's got a situation that he's inherited and the fact is, I don't put any pressure or blame on him.

"If what he has inherited is wrong, we need to put the wrong right. Discussions have already begun about the preparations for next season.

“We'll have to go through it with a fine-tooth comb because I do feel we have failed with regard to what's brought about where we are this season.

“I think Leam has got a really down-to-earth attitude. I find it easier to discuss things with him.

“If we've got to feel the pain, we have to understand what has caused it and do something. We're now doing what we can this season but also planning for the season's end.”