Stoke City have unveiled Gary Rowett as their new manager following Paul Lambert’s failed attempt to keep them in the Premier League. Rowett joins the Championship new-comers from fellow second-tier side Derby County on a three-year deal.
Gary Rowett Named New Stoke City Manager
Rowett started his managerial career with Burton Albion in 2012, becoming the permanent manager in May of that year after a stint in caretaker charge. He led Burton to a fourth-place finish in League Two in his first season, losing to Bradford in the play-offs. The next season, they finished sixth and bowed out in the play-offs once again, this time to Fleetwood Town.
In October 2014, Rowett was appointed manager of Birmingham City, his former club as a player. He joined the club one place off the foot of the table and oversaw an enormous change in form for the Blues. He guided them to safety in his partial campaign, and then to 10th in his first full season. After a change in ownership, fans were shocked to hear that Rowett had been sacked with the club in seventh place in the Championship.
Following his sacking, Rowett joined Derby County in March 2017. He joined the club while they were in 10th place and finished the season one higher in ninth.
The Statistics
Stoke fans will most likely look to his time as Birmingham manager as his most successful stint considering the changes he brought about at St Andrew’s. He won 42 of his 106 games in charge at the Blues, giving him a win percentage of 39.6%.
His time at Derby should not be overlooked, though, as they are probably the most similar of the teams he has managed in terms of quality. Here he has won 26 of his 60 games, prompting a win percentage of 43.3%. With arguably better players at his disposal at Stoke, there is no reason this shouldn’t be the most successful period of Rowett’s managerial career.
Peter and John Coates said of the deal: “We are delighted to be able to move so quickly to secure Gary’s services and we are now looking forward to working with him towards our objective of returning to the Premier League as soon as possible.”
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