Darren Moore has left League One side Doncaster to join Sheffield Wednesday; Andy Butler takes charge of Doncaster until the end of the season; Owls are 23rd in the Championship, six points from safety; Doncaster are sixth in League One
Monday 1 March 2021 23:50, UK
Darren Moore has been named as the new first-team manager at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, leaving his previous role at Doncaster.
Following Moore's departure, Andy Butler will take charge of League One Doncaster until the end of the season. Butler, 37, has made 16 appearances for the club this season.
Sheffield Wednesday are 23rd in the Championship, six points from safety, having started the season with a six-point deduction.
Moore, 46, had been in charge at Doncaster since July 2019, narrowly missing out on a play-off place in his first campaign when the season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He leaves with the club currently sixth, eight points behind the automatic promotion places with two games in hand, having lost four of their last five league games.
Moore will take charge of the Owls for Wednesday night's crunch Championship clash with fellow strugglers and local rivals Rotherham at Hillsborough.
"It's wonderful that the work that you're doing is recognised by a club of this size and structure," Moore said at his unveiling at the club.
"All I wanted to do is continue what I've been doing; keep working hard and give Sheffield Wednesday every ounce and every inch of myself in terms of getting the club going and moving forward.
"It's a huge, huge challenge. What I will say to everybody connected at this wonderful football club is: what's gone on has gone on - it's gone now.
"There's nothing we can do about that because it's gone, but what we can all do is come together as one because we all have a desire and a love for this wonderful football club."
He is the club's third permanent manager of the season, with Tony Pulis having lasted only seven weeks after succeeding Garry Monk in November.
Reflecting on Moore's departure and Butler's appointment, Doncaster chairman David Blunt said: "We are disappointed that Darren has chosen to leave the club part way through what has been a season full of promise.
"We have made significant efforts to support Darren over the past 18 months and ensure he was able to build a team capable of challenging in the top six. This has included supporting him through the past two transfer windows despite the difficult financial circumstances.
"Our ambitions remain to achieve a top-six finish and we hope and expect that Andy will use this time to put himself in the prime position to secure the role on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
"Andy's first priority will be to halt the team's recent run of poor form and put our season back on track."
Don Goodman on the Sky Sports EFL Podcast:
"It's a gamble for Darren, leaving what is a stable well-run club for Sheffield Wednesday who, let's not beat around the bush, are in a little bit of turmoil.
"But I'm pretty sure it's one he couldn't really turn down. It's a huge, huge football club and it's a brilliant opportunity. He has done well at Doncaster and has earned the right to have another go at this level."
