Birmingham City appoint ex-Millwall boss Gary Rowett in interim role

Gary Rowett is back in football management after being appointed interim boss at Birmingham City.

The 50-year-old stepped down as Millwall manager in October.

Rowett had been busy with punditry work before accepting the chance to return to the Blues, his second managerial posting between October 2014 and December 2016.

Birmingham manager Tony Mowbray will take medical leave until the start of next season.

“The decision was taken to act at the beginning of the international break by the board and leadership team, in conjunction with Mowbray who played a role in the identification of Rowett as the right manager to take the team forward till the end of the season,” said Birmingham in a statement on their website.

“The medical leave of absence will allow Mowbray to focus 100 per cent on being with his family and making a full recovery following his recent health challenges.

“Assistant manager Mark Venus will also take a leave of absence with immediate effect and rejoin the club at the same time as Mowbray. First-team coaches, Ashley Cole and Peter Shuttleworth, and goalkeeper coach, Maik Taylor, will remain at the club as part of Rowett’s coaching staff.”

Birmingham City co-cwner and chairman Tom Wagner said: “The board and club leadership fully support Tony’s decision to take time to focus on his health and his family. We continue to wish Tony and his family the very best.

“Based on Tony’s decision to take some additional time away, we agreed it is in the club’s best interests to appoint Gary Rowett to lead the team forward from the touchline for the final eight games of the season. Gary is an experienced leader and has our full support.”

Birmingham are 21st in the Championship table and only outside the bottom three on goal difference.

Millwall, who have already faced the Blues twice this season, are four points ahead of them.