Doncaster Rovers explain decision to hire Danny Schofield ahead of more experienced candidates

Schofield, who boasts coaching experience in the youth set-ups of several EFL clubs, has signed a one-year deal at the Eco-Power Stadium after beating several more experiences candidates to the job.

Doncaster’s head of football operations James Coppinger led the recruitment process for a new boss following Gary McSheffrey’s sacking on Monday and had identified 42-year-old Schofield as one of the preferred targets.

He said: “Sixty per cent of our squad are 18 to 23, which is what we call a development phase. It’s an important phase.

“Having a coach who has been through that, who understands what it takes, who has developed players, who has a methodology and a way of working and understanding of how he wants to play and coaches that way of playing, it’s a big pull for me.”

Doncaster-born Schofield worked as a youth coach at Barnsley, Leeds United and Middlesbrough before joining Huddersfield Town in 2020, initially as under-19s coach.

He went on to manage the club’s B team before being given the top job in July when Carlos Corberán, his former colleague at Leeds United, resigned.

But his reign lasted just 69 days before he was axed after one win from nine matches with the Terriers second from bottom.

Schofield’s other first-team experience includes a one-game spell in caretaker charge of Huddersfield in 2020 and a year as player coach of National League North side Bradford (Park Avenue) from 2015 to 2016.

A statement from Doncaster Rovers said: “As the club seeks to cement a framework and culture to endure for years to come, Schofield impressed with clear plans for a style of play and development of players, as well as inspiring faith that he can guide the squad towards achieving the goals for the current campaign.”

On Monday the club’s chairman, David Blunt, said “We are confident the squad that has been assembled is more than capable of challenging for promotion with an entertaining and attacking approach.”

Doncaster are understood to boast one of the biggest budgets in League Two this season.

They are currently three points outside of the play-off places with 32 games left to play, starting on Saturday away to Crewe Alexandra.