Rotherham assistant manager Eric Black leaves club

Rotherham assistant manager Eric Black has left the Millers.

The 52-year-old has been heavily linked with a role at Aston Villa.

Black joined the Millers as first-team coach last summer, being appointed as Neil Redfearn's number two in October.

He also had a one-game spell as caretaker manager, losing 2-1 to Burnley in October, after Steve Evans left the Sky Bet Championship club.

"He has had an opportunity that he felt he couldn't turn down and we fully appreciated that, so he goes with everyone's best wishes," boss Redfearn told the club's official site.

"We want to thank him for all his effort and hard work whilst with Rotherham United, and from a personal point of view I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him."

Black has also been assistant manager of Villa's rivals Birmingham under Steve Bruce and worked with Bruce at Wigan and Sunderland.

He said: "I have really enjoyed working at Rotherham and I have met and worked with some terrific individuals.

"I didn't know Neil before he arrived but he was brilliant to me from day one. He is an exceptional coach, one of the best I have worked with, and with the support of the chairman and everyone else I am sure he will take the club forward."