Gary Rowett ‘hurt’ by chants from Millwall away support – and explains his reaction to them

Gary Rowett admitted he was left “hurt” by chants directed at him from Millwall fans during Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Norwich.

The Lions fell to their third defeat in a row at Carrow Road courtesy of goals from Jon Rowe, Josh Sargent and Ashley Barnes. Aidomo Emakhu grabbed his first Millwall goal in additional time as a consolation for the visitors.

Millwall fans were less than impressed with another poor display after travelling to Norfolk in good numbers and directed a chant criticising Rowett and the team’s style of football during the second-half.

Rowett expressed his understanding at the fans’ frustration after the match, but conceded he was saddened by the reaction.

Speaking after the match, Rowett said: “First and foremost, if you’re a fan and it’s your club and you’ve paid your hard-earned money to come to the game, I understand you’re not going to be very happy if you see a performance of that ilk. And I get that.

“That’s the beauty of football, you can react and respond in the way you want. But as a human being, to have worked so hard at the club for four years, to get that after three games it’s disappointing and it is hurtful.

“I have worked incredibly hard away from my family for those years and I’m not going to lie here and say ‘it’s fine, it’s not a problem.’ But, I have to take that on the chin. And, in some ways, I would rather that than directed at the players. Because at the end of the day I’m the manager, I’m responsible for the performances.

“And the performance probably hurt me more, if I’m being honest. I can accept that but not the performance on the pitch. To me, that was probably the most disappointing part of the afternoon.”

Rowett would also offer up an explanation to his reaction to the chants after he responded with applause.

He added: “I don’t necessarily think it [was] trying to show my appreciation. I just did not want to stand there and do nothing. It was just my acknowledgement that that was being sung. There’s not really much else to say about it.