Darren Moore rejects suggestion he has let Doncaster Rovers down with timing of departure

Chairman David Blunt expressed his disappointment with the move, which was confirmed on Monday morning, and Moore says he understands his feelings.

But being asked if he too felt he had let Rovers down was met with a brisk no.

“I understand David’s comments in terms of the disappointment with the timing,” Moore added.

“First and foremost I want to say that it’s a wonderful football club and it was an honour for me to go back there.

“Joining when I did, 18 months ago, two weeks before the season and seeing where they were at, they had them down as one of the favourites for relegation.

“We managed to lead a promotion push in the first season until Covid stopped that and in the second season we were on another promotion push.

“I’ve always worked honestly and openly with the team to maximise our efforts.”

Moore has backed new Rovers boss Andy Butler to carry on with the club’s push for promotion this season, with the veteran defender appointed until the end of the season.

“I leave the club in great hands,” he said.

“I know Andy Butler has taken charge until the end of the season and that is a great continuation of the work he has been doing there.

“They’re in good hands and I echo that to the team and club to continue doing what they’re doing because they’ve got an exciting finish to the season to look forward to.”

On the opportunity to take charge of the Owls, Moore declared it too good to turn down.

He said: “When the opportunity came, I didn’t hesitate at taking it on to be the next manager at Sheffield Wednesday,” Moore said.

“It’s an excellent club steeped in huge tradition.

“The opportunity was too much to resist so I had no hesitation in wanting to become the next manager.”

Rovers were first approached by the Owls on Friday and were told prior to Saturday’s defeat to Ipswich Town that Moore wished to speak to them.

But he insists he was only focused on the task at hand with Rovers.

“You never lift your head in terms of looking elsewhere because I like to think that the organisations I’ve been in get every part of Darren Moore ” he said.

“These things happen in football and to get the recognition from this wonderful club was an exciting prospect for me.

“But I still continued working.

“I’m pleased to be part of this club and now the work starts.”

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