Steve Bruce has thanked Steve McClaren for appointing his son Alex as Rotherham United’s new head coach.Bruce takes over at the South Yorkshire club following their relegation to League Two.Alex Bruce is following in his father’s footsteps as an EFL managerGettyA family affairThe 41-year-old former Northern Ireland international, who played under his dad at Birmingham City and Hull City, previously managed non-League Macclesfield FC.Bruce will link up with ex-England and Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren, who became Rotherham’s first-ever head of football last month after resigning as boss of the Jamaica national team last November.And Steve Bruce has shown his appreciation to McClaren for bringing his son in.Appearing on talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Jacobs, Manchester United legend Bruce said: “He’s had this opportunity and Steve McLaren has given him an opportunity.“So he’s got Steve above him and he’s took Steve Agnew [assistant] in with him, underneath him, so he’s given himself a right chance.“He’s itched at the chance of managing and he’s done all the badges and worked hard over the last six, seven, eight years to get all the qualifications you need.“And of course, then you need somebody to give you the opportunity, and I think it’s a great opportunity for him.“They’ve had a dismal couple of years, Rotherham, but he’ll try his best and I’m sure he’ll give it the enthusiasm and the hard work that it requires.”Rotherham finished second-bottom of League One in 2025/26 and were relegated back to the fourth tier for the first time since 2013.Following three straight seasons in the Championship between 2014 and 2017, they yo-yoed between the second and third tiers before ultimately exiting League One in the wrong direction last term.After bringing in former Newcastle midfielder Lee Clark on a short-term deal for the end of the campaign, the Millers had hoped to appoint Walsall boss Mat Sadler as their next manager – only for him to turn the job down.McClaren was appointed Rotherham’s new Head of Football last MayShutterstock EditorialBruce hopes to transform the Millers’ fortunesSpeaking upon his arrival at Rotherham, Bruce said: “First of all, it’s a privilege to be here. I’m really excited about the challenge that lies ahead.“It’s all happened very quickly. I spoke to Steve [McClaren] last week. Talks went really well. It was very clear to see what his vision was for the club.“After speaking to the owner, it was clear to see what his ambitions and vision is as well, so I hope that I’m going to be the man to deliver success and try and get this club back up and running again.”Bruce’s first game in charge sees him entertain West Brom – where he worked as part of his dad’s coaching’s staff – in the first round of the EFL Cup, before Rotherham’s League Two opener away to Cheltenham Town.Steve Bruce was dismissed by Blackpool last October and admitted he ‘highly doubts’ he’ll return to management but will ‘never say never’.