Exclusive – Gary Rowett: I’ll probably get stick from Stoke fans – but I’m just pleased to be at Millwall

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Gary Rowett knows he could be in for a hot reception from Stoke City this weekend – but says he will just be relishing being back in club management with Millwall.

The Lions appointed the 45-year-old as their new boss on Monday.

Rowett watched Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Cardiff City from the stands but has assumed control and will take his first training session this morning.

Stoke City sacked the former Charlton Athletic defender at the start of 2019.

Rowett told the South London Press: “It will probably be a game where their fans want to give me a little bit of stick, but that’s fine. It’s water off a duck’s back.

“I’ll just be so pleased to be back out there.

“It’s not important who the first game was against, and I don’t mean to be disrespectful to anyone. I was very proud to be manager of Stoke and it didn’t work out for anyone the way they felt it would. But the emotion will be taken out of the game.

“We’ll only get two days to work with the players before Stoke, so it certainly won’t be the finished article.

“It is a game we’ll try to win and they’ll try to win. I’m aware of the good players they have got and the fact they shouldn’t be where they are.”

SEE FRIDAY’S SOUTH LONDON PRESS FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ROWETT