Gary Rowett returned to Birmingham City for a second managerial term in March, although he was unable to keep the team in the Championship.
Gary Rowett has returned to work – and to the Sky Sports studio – after taking time off following Birmingham City’s relegation at the conclusion of the season. Knighthead summoned Rowett back to Blues as they fought to maintain their Championship status in the absence of Tony Mowbray, who has required medical treatment in recent months.
After a difficult 13-year tenure in the second tier, Rowett, 50, was given eight matches to retain Blues in the level. Despite a healthy return of 11 points from those games, Blues did not perform enough across 46 matches and will now move on to League One.Rowett, who left Millwall earlier this season, is now looking for his next management challenge.
“Eight games ago, I knew there was a chance of relegation, if you looked at the form,” Rowett remarked after the final-day victory against Norwich, which proved futile. “I knew it may be me who ends up managing Birmingham City to League One, but sometimes you have to take that little bit of duty and accountability – and if it’s me and it saves someone else, I’ll take it and accept it. “I have broad shoulders.”
While waiting for the next job, Rowett has returned to his position in the Sky Sports studio for the Gillette Soccer Saturday show this weekend. He monitored Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Molineux and was joined by fellow analysts Clinton Morrison, Darren Bent, Paul Merson, and Sue Smith, as well as broadcaster Simon Thomas.