‘I’m here’ – Millwall boss Gary Rowett on link to West Bromwich Albion job vacancy

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has talked about the speculation over his future after his odds tumbled on being the next West Bromwich Albion manager.

There was a report yesterday that the Baggies were keen to speak to the Lions boss, coming up for three years in charge, about their vacant position. Albion sacked Steve Bruce at the start of the week.

But the South London Press has been told that there has been no approach for Rowett, who signed a new contract in the summer.

Speaking this morning, Rowett told the South London Press: “As a manager there is always some speculation and a lot of the times that speculation is unfounded or usually there is not really anything in it.

“For me it is exactly the same, I’ve had three years where all I concentrated on is trying to get Millwall in the top six after finishing eighth, 11th and ninth. That’s all my focus is on now. It’s very, very simple.

“I’ve got a very, very good relationship with John [Berylson], the owner, and Steve [Kavanagh, chief executive]. That is my focus rather than listening to headlines or listening to speculation. It’s as simple as that.

“As far as I’m concerned I’m here. I’m here, concentrating on try to win games of football. As a manager you just have to focus on the things that are important, other things outside of that, with people speculating, 99 times out of 100 it is absolutely rubbish. That is it. If I speculated on every job or gave a direct answer on every job then that’s all I’d be talking about all week.

“My concentration isn’t going to change any time soon on the job in hand, which is trying to get this club in the top six.”