The top six favourites to become new Millwall manager has been revealed as Gary Rowett explains his decision to leave the club.
Rowett had been in charge of the Championship club for four years, but now he feels the time to part ways with Adam Barrett stepping up from his assistant role to take interim charge.
He led the club to top-half finishes in each of those seasons without being able to secure a place in the playoffs, going into the final day of last season knowing a win would be enough for a top-six finish and found themselves 3-1 up against come half time, but bottled it to lose 4-3.
Millwall currently sit 15th in the table, and had only won four from their opening 11 league matches. Rowett’s last game in charge was a 2-2 draw at home to Hull.
#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
TOP SIX FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW MILLWALL MANAGER
Sky Bet – 19th October – 3pm
Kevin Muscat – 6/4
Micheal Beale – 3/1
John Eustace – 4/1
Adam Barrett – 8/1
Nathan Jones – 10/1
Mark Kennedy – 14/1
Sky Bet – 20th October – 12pm
Kevin Muscat – 6/4
Micheal Beale – 3/1
John Eustace – 4/1
Adam Barrett – 8/1
Nathan Jones – 8/1
Neil Warnock – 12/1
Sky Bet – 23rd October – 2pm
Kevin Muscat – 2/1
John Eustace – 7/2
Micheal Beale – 4/1
Nathan Jones – 4/1
Neil Warnock – 5/1
Adam Barrett – 12/1
Mark Kennedy – 14/1
Gary Rowett went on talkSPORT the day his exit and emphasised it was a perfectly amicable split.
He said: “I’ve had four brilliant, brilliant years there and there have been a lot of things that have happened over the four years.
“The club is a brilliant club and unique club – anyone would testify that if they have gone to The Den and sampled the atmosphere. You know what? We came so close four times for four years. It is a difficult division and difficult challenge for any club when you are trying to punch above your weight a little bit. But I’ve had a fantastic time.
“If I’m being honest, it just felt the right time. You know as a manager and you know as a club – it just feels like it needs something a little different.
“That was kind of fundamental to the decision. It was a mutual thing. I know sometimes people say ‘oh, he’s been sacked and that’s how they have put it out’ but it genuinely was. I spoke to the chairman (James Berylson) last night and I’ve got a good relationship with everyone at the club.”
Adam Barrett insists that his full focus is on the game against Preston this weekend as he took his first press conference since taking charge.
When questioned at his first virtual press conference if he wanted the job full time, Barrett said, as per Southwark News: “I’ve been asked to take the team last night but my full focus is on Preston. It’s such a quick turnaround, I haven’t had time to think really the last 24 hours so my main focus is getting the lads ready, getting them prepared, getting the messages in and all I’m focused on at the moment is Preston at the weekend.
“The gaffer left and I was surprised he decided to leave. It’s all come very quickly and I haven’t though about anything else apart from making the team’s right and we’re prepared as possible. Like I said, I’ve had a hell of a lot to try and sort out behind the scenes at the moment to make sure people are in place. Paul Robinson is with me, Kevin Nugent has stepped up from the under-21s. There’s been a hell of a lot to organise and Preston is our focus.
“I’m my own man, I’ve got my own ideas. But obviously it’s very, very quick with the games upon us and the injuries we have as well. So we’re probably limited in terms of options so there’s not a lot of time to change too much and like I said we’ve been pretty strong ourselves anyway.
“So it’s a case of getting in, getting the boys prepared and making sure this sudden shock to everyone is as smooth as possible. The lads trained really well which I was delighted with and the attitude and application has been superb so it’s now just about making sure we’re preparing and getting ourselves right for a tough game.”
Meanwhile, Jobi McAnuff spoke took aim at the treatment of Gary Rowett from some Millwall supporters in the last few weeks before Rowett’s departure.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, McAnuff said [as per Football League World and The Real EFL]:
“I’ve got to say I think it’s another, in my opinion, ridiculous decision. We are absolutely in silly season now when it comes to managers losing their jobs.
“Yes, it’s very easy to maybe look at the league table and see their actual position, and clearly that’s not where Millwall Football Club feels it should be given the past few seasons and their time generally under Gary Rowett, where he has improved and really been pushing for that play-off team.
“But you’re talking about a result or two away from getting themselves right back into that play-off mix. This is probably an unpopular opinion anywhere outside of Millwall really and I just think it’s ridiculous,” he continued.
“I know the fans haven’t been happy. I was at the Norwich game and some of the chants directed at him were nothing short of a farce really for what he’s done for that football club.
“Just really disappointed to see, I think he’s put everything into that role and just really disappointed to see him leave, I’ve got to say.”
“We are in silly season now when it comes to manages losing their jobs.” 🗣
Jobi McAnuff reacts to Millwall manager Gary Rowett leaving club after four years in charge.
Listen to the latest 72+ podcast on @BBCSounds 📲 https://t.co/280LZoG42e#BBCFootball #MillwallFC pic.twitter.com/Ovxt1pdzdT
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) October 19, 2023
Twitter users reacted as the top six favourites to become new Millwall manager are revealed while Gary Rowett explains his decision to leave…
@Everything_Wall: Really difficult to pick who you’d want as manager going forward. Few managers out of work who could look to rebuild their careers or we may even go down a route of getting a manager who’s in a job currently. I doubt it would be the latter for financial reasons. #Millwall
@4thGenCOYL:
I reckon it’ll be either 3 of these managers for the job. #Millwall
John Eustace
Michael Beale
Kevin Muscat
@BenHewitt2023: I want Muscat but gotta feeling it’ll be Beale
@dazza3101: I reckon an appointment has already been made and he will watch from the stands on Saturday. The answer is a: Beale or b: Jones
@benah299: Anyone other #millwall fans think Muscat wouldn’t do a great job and would never be able to take that next step for us? #garryrowett #muscat
@Mike_Lions_71: Neither Beale or Bowyer
@jgramuk: I think Muscat could be fun. Could be a disaster but should bring back some bite
@pottsyA: Might sound barmy but i would give Warnock a go till end of season see what he does
@TommyMFC1: Eustace a great option, but had to be noted that in all but one of Birmingham’s games this season they have had considerably less possession (and chances) than their opposition. Sounds worryingly similar to Rowett. #Millwall
@bl1885: Let’s not start “careful what you wish for” talk. Look at what could happen now. I want the new gaffer to turn Emakhu into an immense winger. I want Flemming to get his spark back. I want Saville & De Norre partnership. I want Esse mins to increase. I want a back 4. #Millwall
@Henry59236235: Kevin Muscat please #millwall
@bignhoj: Muscat as Manager with @stevenreid12 as number 2 and @PaulIfill as a coach #Millwall
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