Millwall and Lincoln City part company with their both of their managers, confirming the news in statements on Wednesday night.
The Lions confirm that Gary Rowett has left the Championship outfit by mutual agreement after four years in charge. They’re currently 15th with 15 points from 11 games played.
The 49 year old had guided them to top-half finishes in each of those years but had been unable to secure them a place in the playoffs.
Rowett was appointed back in October 2019 following a short stint at Stoke.
Meanwhile, Lincoln City have also parted company with head coach Mark Kennedy after a run of one win in six games, leaving them 16th in the table, five points off the the playoff places and seven points above the relegation zone.
He had been in charge at Sincil Bank since May 2022, and took them to a top-half finish in League One last season.
Assistant head coach Danny Butterfield also depart, with first-team coach Tom Shaw placed in temporary charge.
#Millwall Football Club can confirm it has mutually agreed to part company with first team manager, Gary Rowett.
Please find the full statement, as well as quotes from James Berylson and Gary, below.
— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) October 18, 2023
MILLWALL STATEMENT:
Millwall Football Club can confirm it has mutually agreed to part company with first team manager, Gary Rowett.
The 49-year-old has been in charge of The Lions for four years after taking over as boss in October 2019. During that time Rowett has elevated Millwall’s standing within the Championship and led the club to top-half finishes in each campaign, regularly challenging for a place in the Play-Offs along the way.
“We greatly appreciate Gary’s efforts throughout his time in charge and he departs with the best wishes of everybody connected with the club,” Lions chairman, James Berylson, said.
“While my time working directly with Gary has been short, I have thoroughly enjoyed all our interactions and feel that he leaves us having enhanced the club’s on-pitch status during four successful years in charge.”
Rowett added: “Firstly, I would like to thank the fans for all their support during my time at the club. The atmosphere they create is truly unique.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed being manager of Millwall and depart with a feeling that the club has progressed during my tenure. As is sometimes the case in football, the time just feels right to part ways.
“I would like to thank John Berylson, James, Steve Kavanagh, Alex Aldridge, my backroom staff, and everyone behind-the-scenes for their hard work and support.
“Finally, I’d like to extend my gratitude to the players, who I thank for the blood, sweat, and tears they have put into their efforts. It has been a successful and enjoyable four years.”
A comprehensive recruitment process is already underway as the club looks to build upon the success Rowett has overseen. While that is ongoing, current assistant manager, Adam Barrett, will take caretaker charge of the senior squad and be assisted by first team coach, Paul Robinson.
“In Adam and Paul we have two excellent coaches who I know fans will really get behind during their time in caretaker charge,” Berylson added.
“They have my full support as we take the necessary time to secure the appointment which is in the best interests of the football club.”
Head coach Mark Kennedy and assistant head coach Danny Butterfield have left the Imps.
First-team coach Tom Shaw will take charge of the first-team on an interim basis while the club undertakes a thorough process to identify our next head coach.
— Lincoln City FC 🇺🇦 (@LincolnCity_FC) October 18, 2023
LINCOLN STATEMENT:
Head coach Mark Kennedy and assistant head coach Danny Butterfield have left the Imps.
Mark took charge of City in the summer of 2022, overseeing more than 70 games. He was joined by Danny in December of that year.
City’s chief executive Liam Scully said: “Everyone at the club thanks Mark and Danny for their contribution to the Imps over their time with us, and we wish them well in their future coaching careers. They leave with our thanks and best wishes.”
First-team coach Tom Shaw will take charge of the first-team on an interim basis while the club undertakes a thorough process to identify our next head coach.
Here’s how fans reacted as Millwall and Lincoln City part company with their managers…
ON MILLWALL:
@CallumTh0mas_: Time for a change but the geezer deserves massive credit. Shoe string budget before this summer window and nearly got us play offs twice. And made us in to a concrete championship team.
@drh1971: Didn’t see that coming, he’s been on a tightrope this season but thought he’d see it through. We are now a very stable club and the next appointment needs to be carefully thought out. Don’t want to be the next Birmingham after they got rid of him.
@groundsmendean: Done a great job, 90% of managers play the way he does so be interesting who we get in? Baptism of fire for JB junior when the club needs stability.
@petehinton8: Always superb professional stuff when a club has an entire international break to sack a manager, and decide to do it less than 3 days before an away game
@mickeyb6: GR thanks for all what you have done for our club, we definitely have progressed with you fella… good luck for the future and looking forward to what is next for the club
@tonyhumphreys01: Good luck to Gary Rowett who stabilised the club in Championship. Now we need to be careful of what we wish for. Lot of managers out of work, who we might want for emotional reasons but not as solid as Rowett.
@ADAMCOL41422036: After 4 years probably feels time for a change. For him & the club.
@JIMOFMFC: Thanks for everything Gary Rowett, he certainly took us up a notch. He done well in his 4 year reign. I wonder if we’ve got someone lined up already?
@LukeeLDN: You know what I do slate him but I will still say thank you Rowett for establishing us as a good top half championship side, it was definitely time to go hopefully it’s a next step forward for us, the fans and play style became super dull with his football, clearly ain’t for us
ON LINCOLN:
@andyhelson: Very surprised and have admit unhappy about this too. Thought MK was being given the chance to build a squad with the permanent signings. Yes, a few poor results but every club has those at least one point in the season. Hope this wasn’t a knee jerk reaction we’ll regret.
@darrell_ben: Bit out of nowhere this
@JamieOsgodby : Wow that’s not good, please do not good backwards look forward
@leejmcintosh: I am surprised but not shocked. I always felt Mark talked a really good game which helped me build confidence in his ability, but our style of play and recent results have been poor. I’m not convinced this is a result of our recent poor form, must be underlying issues.
@BohlmanC: Think we need an explanation why 😳🔴⚪️👊🏻 uti
@DarronWalton13: @dancowley1 fancy getting the band back together?
@adamf_99: Has he left or has he been sacked? Because if he’s been sacked, we deserve an explanation. You cannot blame recent results on Mark and Danny when it’s down to poor timing injuries.
@georgewallhead7: You could see players arguing. Lost the dressing room imo
@RichScrafton: Wtf
@PeteHeath101: Must be more to this than we know as it’s appeared to have happened so quick. We have a habit of having managers back so I wonder 🤔
@Mr_Aaron_23: Thank you for the memories and best of luck with the Irish national team
@joshandrew000: We have to get the cowleys. We need the feel good factor back. No more of this negative football and experimenting with inexperienced managers. Make it happen @liamjscully
@philbauer81: Many thanks to Mark and his team. Left very prematurely. I just don’t get it. OK 1 bad result. Injuries to the two big name forwards have cost us big time. In complete shock.
Love the guy and wish him well, but it’s probably a good time for him to go anyway with the last couple of months. Will go down as a good manager for me nonetheless.
Anyway, time to finish the story 👀 pic.twitter.com/wW3W9eMneG
— Ally (@LincolnCity1884) October 18, 2023
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