Gary Rowett: I didn’t feel like I needed a break from management – but hopefully Millwall will benefit from my time out

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Millwall have appointed Gary Rowett as their new boss – and he reckons his break from management will benefit the South London club.

The former Birmingham, Derby, Stoke and Burton boss put pen to paper on his deal – the length of which is undisclosed – at The Den on Monday afternoon.

The 45-year-old will watch from the directors box tonight as his new team host Cardiff in the Championship before taking charge on Saturday against Stoke – who terminated his contract in January.

Rowett’s second home match is the derby with Charlton Athletic, who he spent two injury-hit seasons with before leaving in 2004.

Rowett had an initial meeting with the Lions shortly after Neil Harris chose to step down as manager earlier this month.

And he made the final three-man shortlist interviewed by Millwall owner John Berylson, who jetted into the UK midway through last week.

Rowett always looked the Lions’ top choice. He was on the same course as Harris when the pair obtained their UEFA Pro licences.

But the Championship side were keen to explore all potential options and sat down with a number of contenders.

Rowett told the South London Press: “I love football and I watch countless games – even if I’m not involved in football.

“To be given this opportunity is just really exciting. I can’t wait to start and I also think this club is a really good fit for me. I hope I’m a good fit for the club.

“I didn’t feel I needed a break [after Stoke] but when you come out you have an opportunity to pick the bones out of it and really enhance your philosophy.

“I believe that time out will give us a better chance to be successful here. It’s time to put some of things we learned into practice here.”

Caretaker Adam Barrett also made the final shortlist along with Wycombe’s Gareth Ainsworth. Barrett, who had attracted interest from his old club Southend United, is set to resume his role as first-team coach after tonight’s fixture with the Bluebirds.

Rowett has chosen Callum Davidson as his assistant with Joe Carnall taking on a post of technical coach.

Stirling-born Davidson, 43, played for Blackburn, Leicester and Preston. He was capped 19 times by Scotland and had a temporary spell managing St Johnstone in 2014 but left four years later to become part of Rowett’s backroom team at Stoke.

Carnall has held analyst roles at Stoke, Derby, Birmingham, Forest and Sheffield United.

PICTURES BY BRIAN TONKS