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Gary Bowyer speaks for the first time on becoming new Burton Albion head coach

Gary Bowyer speaks for the first time on becoming the new Burton Albion head coach, coming in to replace the sacked Mark Robinson.

The 53-year-old hasn’t held a managerial position since leading Dundee to promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2023.

His exit was a surprise to many, considering he had won Championship manager of the season and won the second-tier title just days earlier.

The former manager of Salford and Bradford now returns to League One, a league in which he previously managed Blackpool, successfully taking them up to League Two in 2017.

Bowyer now takes charge of a Brewers team that currently sits just one place and one point above the bottom of the table after 19 matches.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Burton Albion is delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Bowyer as its new Head Coach.

Gary arrives at the Pirelli with a wealth of experience having managed more than 400 games across all three divisions in the EFL, as well as in Scotland.

Most recently, he was manager at Scottish Championship club Dundee and in his one season at Dens Park he led the club to the 2023 league title and promotion back to the Scottish Premiership, with a squad that included Ryan Sweeney, whose performances under Gary saw him named in both the PFA Scotland and SPFL Championship Team of the Year.

Gary’s work was also recognised as he picked up two Scottish Championship Manager of the Month awards, as well as the SPFL Scottish Championship Manager of the Year accolade.

He started his managerial career with Blackburn Rovers in May 2013, following two spells as caretaker, having initially joined the club in 2004 as Under 18s coach and later worked as Reserve Team manager.

Rovers narrowly missed out on the play-offs by two points in his first year as manager and were pushing again the following season as well as reaching the FA Cup quarter finals, where they took Liverpool to a replay, having knocked out Premier League sides Swansea City and Stoke City earlier in the competition.

During his time at Ewood Park, Gary also helped in the development of the likes of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, Scotland internationals Grant Hanley and Fulham captain Tom Cairney, striker Rudy Gestede and Ireland international Shane Duffy.

He left in November 2015, ending an 11-and-a-half-year association with the club.

Less than a year later, Gary was appointed manager at Blackpool, who had just suffered a second successive relegation, and galvanised the team as he guided them to an immediate return to League One after winning the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium against Exeter City.

He spent two seasons at Blackpool before making the decision to depart at the start of the 2018/19 season.

The 53-year-old has also had spells with Bradford City and Salford City.

Speaking for the first time as Burton Albion Head Coach, Gary Bowyer said: “It is a privilege to be given this opportunity at Burton Albion. This role has great appeal to me and I am excited at the prospect of what can be achieved here alongside ambitious owners in Nordic Football Group.

“We know there is a lot of work to do right now but I am excited by this challenge. I am looking forward to getting started now and working with the players to ensure we can achieve a strong second half to the season. We will demand that they give everything for the shirt to try and get us moving away from the bottom of the table and we know that is exactly what our supporters will want to see from this team too.”

Deputy Chairman Tom Davidson said: “We were seeking a Head Coach who could make an immediate impact, to give us the best possible chance to improve our current league position and we believe, in Gary, that we have the ideal person with the capability to do this.

“He has vast experience of coaching across the EFL and we feel he is the right type of coach and personality to take our Men’s team forward, as well as having a deep understanding of youth football, something that is important to us as we continue to look to develop our own talent.”

“It was vital that we evaluated and took learnings from the past few months as we look to build the strongest and most sustainable Burton Albion in the future. Although we appreciate it may have felt frustrating for some, it was important we did not rush the Head Coach search to ensure the process was robust and thorough. We are extremely pleased with the outcome we have reached and now we are looking to continue building out our sporting structure with Gary’s input to benefit the Men’s first team further.

“Stability is crucial now and we also recognise that our sporting strategy must be more adaptable to the demands of this division if we are to thrive. That is all being considered with the decisions we are making, including ahead of the January transfer window. Gary will be crucial to this and everything we are seeking to deliver for the Men’s First Team, and we are looking forward to working with him.”

We can confirm that Tom Hounsell has decided to leave the club with immediate effect.

Tom arrived at the Pirelli in the summer as Assistant Head Coach before taking on the role of Interim Head Coach following Mark Robinson’s departure in October.

Deputy Chairman Tom Davidson said: “Tom has stepped up during a testing time for the club and we are immensely grateful for all his hard work and efforts.

“We would have liked Tom to stay on, but we respect his decision to seek opportunities elsewhere. He is a great person and will always be a part of our family at Burton Albion. On behalf of everyone, we really wish him the very best for what comes next in his career and, with the capability he has, we are sure he will be successful in his future work.”

We are pleased to confirm that John Brayford has agreed to remain as part of Gary Bowyer’s coaching staff.

A full update on Gary’s coaching staff will be communicated once we have confirmed all members of the team.

Twitter users gave their reaction as Gary Bowyer speaks for the first time on becoming new Burton Albion head coach…

@Bristoliang1en: That’s 1 team relegated this season, only 3 to go.

@Donsmith992700: All the best to Gary and Burton Albion, Gary’s never forgotten in these parts, he done a terrific job for Dundee fc, hope he does the same for Burton.

@J56Walsh: Best of luck to Gary, still well liked at Blackpool 👍🏻

@TomElliottBAFC: On the face of it, this is a decent appointment when you see some of the names linked! Welcome Gary! Let’s get going! 💛🖤

@PastorBowley: Great appointment for you. Wish him nothing but success, apart from against us. The guy oozes decency and class. Will be totally committed and given time, will do a good job.

@Bradley123452: Pleased with this. Just what we needed imo, experienced FL manager. Been around the block and knows what it takes to get results. Time to move forward now starting on Saturday, let’s get the Pirelli rocking! 9 points is doable, especially with a new man at the helm. #bafc 💛🖤

@jack_2831: Finally!! Happy with that. Hopefully gets time to build something, which he hasn’t really had elsewhere

@rossbatchelor9: Back with his league-winning captain Sweeney, which is nice to see from a Dundee perspective. Decent, no-nonsense manager, but had internal issues with upper management due to how he treated previous managers’ players & pushing for funds. If the board see his way he’ll be solid.

@timmiles82: I don’t mind this appointment at all. Lots of football league experience is what we need. Hopefully he can build on Tom Hounsell’s defensive stability with a bit more of a goal threat. Some much needed positivity for the weekend #bafc

@Bafcross: Happy with this, finally some experience. Cmon burton let’s makes something of this

@FTM1042: Vastly experienced manager who I feel can turn fortunes around at Burton Albion. Did a decent job at Salford city & did a cracking job at Blackburn back in the day. Hopefully a good appointment for Albion.

@tyler_bafc: Being at the forum tonight he speaks very well and is passionate the players fight for the shirt all I can I say is I’m looking forward to to seeing what’s ahead 🤷🏻‍♂️

@53BFC53: A good man and a sound appointment, barring the game against Blackpool, I hope he does well. 🧡

@BlackburnEnder: Best of luck to a really Top Bloke 👍

@bfc_ross: Best of luck Gary, good solid manager and should do well for you guys

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