3/1 To Win
Derby County is delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Rowett as their new manager.
Rowett has signed a contract until the end of the 2018/19 season and will take up his position with the Rams with immediate effect.He will take charge of his new side for the first time on Saturday (18th March, 1pm) when Derby make the short journey across the East Midlands to take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Rowett has also moved to bring his trusted backroom team to Pride Park Stadium by appointing Kevin Summerfield as Assistant Manager, Mark Sale as First Team Coach, Kevin Poole as Goalkeeping Coach and Joe Carnall as Head of Performance Analysis.
First Team Coach Kevin Phillips will remain part of the coaching team while Goalkeeping Coach Pascal Zuberbuhler has departed with the club’s best wishes for the future.
Rowett, 43, has built an excellent reputation in recent years following impressive spells in charge of Burton Albion and Birmingham City.
He is no stranger to supporters after making 120 appearances for the club between 1995 and 1998, during which time he contributed to the Rams’ promotion to the top flight in 1995/96.
Derby County Chairman Mel Morris said: “We are delighted to welcome Gary Rowett back to Derby County as our new manager.
“Gary is being tasked with, and has the full responsibility for, leading our redevelopment programme. Gary, of course, played for us for three years during his playing career, lives in Derby and is passionate about our football club.
“He is an exemplar of the qualities and values we want in our team and has clearly demonstrated his abilities to get that from his players too.
"I am sure that all of our supporters, staff and players extend their unequivocal support and best wishes to Gary and his staff.”
Reacting to his appointment, Rowett said: “I’m naturally thrilled to be appointed as the manager of Derby County and can’t wait to get started.
“I feel that I have a special bond with the club having been here as a player. During that time, we tasted success when we were promoted to the Premier League and moved to Pride Park Stadium under Jim Smith.
“Living in the local area, I understand the expectation of the fanbase and it goes without saying that Derby County has fantastic and committed supporters.
“I have coached in the Academy in the past so I know the values of the club and I am looking forward to sharing my experience and knowledge of the league with the staff and players.
“I am fully aware of the playing squad here and I am looking forward to working with them all first hand.”
Rowett’s playing career saw him rack up almost 450 appearances over the course of 16 years.
The defender started out at Cambridge Untied in the early 1990s before moving to Premier League Everton in 1994, prior to linking up with the Rams in the summer of 1995 following a loan spell at Blackpool.
He moved to Birmingham City in 1998 for a fee of £1 million and later moved to Leicester City and Charlton Athletic in 2000 and 2002 respectively – again for seven figure fees.
A persistent knee injury ended his professional career but he did continue playing outside league football at Burton Albion, prior to hanging up his boots for good.
After retiring, Rowett was appointed as assistant manager to former Derby striker Paul Peschisolido at Burton Albion in 2009, before eventually taking over as manager in 2012.
He oversaw the Brewers retaining their League 2 status and went on to secure play-off spots in 2012/13 and 2013/14, with the latter ending with a play-off final defeat to Fleetwood Town at Wembley Stadium.
After a strong start to 2014/15 at the Pirelli Stadium, Rowett stepped up to managing in the Championship by taking charge of Birmingham City.
Deep in relegation trouble at the time, Rowett revived their fortunes and ensured the Blues remained in the second tier. He then guided them to an impressive second successive tenth place in 2015/16, his first and only full season in charge.
He left St Andrew’s on 14th December 2016 with Birmingham seventh in the table and in the running for a play-off spot.
In 248 games in management to date, Rowett has a win rate percentage of 42.3 per cent after achieving 105 victories and 66 draws.
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