Gary Rowett

[fox_favourite]

16 minutes ago, TheLionsRoar said:

Millwall fan here in peace.

 

I regularly go on Foxestalk forum (as I do other Championship clubs) but even more so since Rowett became your manager, due to the fact that he was our manager for four years. 
 

In that time he managed to steady the ship after our then previous manager, Neil Harris, left us the first time. At the beginning of his tenure with us, Rowett (along with his No. 2, Callum Davidson) started well. He wasn’t afraid to change tactics, formations or players in a game if he felt it was slipping away from him/the team. It wasn’t until after Davidson left to manage St. Johnstone (having been Millwall’s assistant manager for less than 1 season) that the cracks in Rowett’s management began to show.

 

He stopped changing tactics and he stopped changing formations. What he didn’t do was change the players (sound familiar?) As a club, we were seen as being mostly long ball merchants under Harris, although we did have a few players during that time that could play a bit of football. That continued under Rowett and Davidson, until the latter left, and then Rowett went all defensive. The football became dull and dire and it soon became apparent to the Millwall supporters that it had been the wrong man that had left us. That seemed to be borne out when Davidson won the Scottish League Cup and Scottish cup double in his first managerial season at St. Johnstone.

 

Rowett’s philosophy at Millwall was always “safety first,” in that he would set up his teams defensively to not concede, whilst hoping to nick a goal on the counter attack and get a win that way. That worked many times and even though the football was depressingly dull and boring, in his first season with us (2019/2020) we finished a respectable 8th. In his subsequent seasons he had us finishing 11th (2020/2021) 9th (2021/2022) 8th (2022/2023) and 13th (2023/2024). Last game of the 2022/2023 season we were at home to Blackburn Rovers. We led 3-1 at HT and we were guaranteed a play off spot, only for us to capitulate 2nd half and lose to Rovers 4-3. The following season, we lost away to Norwich, 3-1 and it was the first time our supporters started with the “Gary Rowett your football is s#it!” comments. Two months later Rowett had left us by mutual consent. 
 

So when he joined Leicester I felt confident that he would help shore up any defensive frailties you might have had, and he would install a good work ethic into your players (as he did at Millwall) that would keep you in the Championship. Rowett was Birmingham manager when they were relegated but seemed to bounce back at Oxford, helping them to survive in their first Championship season and I thought he could work his magic again at Leicester City. Sadly it seems whatever Midas touch he had with us (and to a lesser degree with Oxford 1st season) has deserted him at your club, and he doesn’t seem able to rally the troops to mount a survival challenge.

 

I know that the majority of your troubles have been with the board and the players, but you would have thought that having one relegation on your CV (Birmingham) would be incentive enough for Rowett not to want to add a second to it with Leicester City, which is why I am at a loss as to why he isn’t pulling out all the stops to prevent that. He must realise that if he helps to relegate you, his career as a Championship manager will be over. With two relegations to his name, the only clubs that would likely take a punt on him after Leicester City would be those in League 1 and below.

 

Having said all that, you play us in a couple of weeks time, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Rowett helps you get your 2nd win under him. Rowett’s Oxford beat us 1-0 at the Den, 1st January 2025 (Alex Neil’s first game in charge of us) and this season he managed to secure a last minute 2-2 draw when we thought we had the game sown up, so who knows? A win against us might just keep Leicester City up! 

We won't beat you. Our players are pathetic little ego filled bush wipes. All you need to do is put pressure on them and they fold like a paper cup in a mechanic press. 

 

Rowett isn't the main cause, nor is he the issue. The players have given up, we've given up and I think Rowett has realised these players have a weak selfish mentality. They are only looking after themselves and looking for a route out. They have no personal pride and just taking our club to League 1 without a care in the world with what it means for the non playing staff who do care at the club. 

 

That's the state we're in. I agree, I was surprised he took the job, but he must have thought "that bunch are talented, I bet I can turn it around". Players are another level of rancidness. We'll be down before we play you, or we'll go down on the day.

 

How we will celebrate our 10 anniversary of the greatest achievement in football? By being the greatest failure of all time and confirming our place in League 1 for next season. 

 

Not all of this is on Gary, but unfortunately he hasn't done enough. 

Edited 13 April by fox_favourite

[Corky]

I think we still have a pull. The amount of talk positively around the ownership is baffling but mentioned. Again, the discussion about the quality of the squad exists so one of these coaches probably thinks they can turn it around.

[Tomo260]

Poor Gary, not his fault really, not saying he's our man but the chalice is poisoned.

 

He must have seen Leeds fight with grit and unity tonight to beat Man U to steer them away for relegation. If only we had that:(

[Lesterlad]

1 minute ago, Tomo260 said:

Poor Gary, not his fault really, not saying he's our man but the chalice is poisoned.

 

He must have seen Leeds fight with grit and unity tonight to beat Man U to steer them away for relegation. If only we had that:(

With all due respect. Rowett is crap

[Chelmofox]

12 minutes ago, Tomo260 said:

Poor Gary, not his fault really, not saying he's our man but the chalice is poisoned.

 

He must have seen Leeds fight with grit and unity tonight to beat Man U to steer them away for relegation. If only we had that:(

What formation did Leeds use out of interest? 

[Tomo260]

8 hours ago, Chelmofox said:

What formation did Leeds use out of interest? 

3-4-2-1

 

Our formation never changes, infuriating. Must be an instruction from Top, has to be 

[AjcW]

8 hours ago, Chelmofox said:

What formation did Leeds use out of interest? 

 

6 minutes ago, Tomo260 said:

3-4-2-1

 

Our formation never changes, infuriating. Must be an instruction from Top, has to be 

Been really impressed with Farke's attitude this season. He seemed like another "my way of the highway" type in terms of style of play and failing in the Premier League, but when it became clear Leeds were heading that way he switched things up. 

 

They've had a wobble recently but I think overall deserve safety if they win at the weekend.

[ceebeefox]

9 hours ago, Tomo260 said:

Poor Gary, not his fault really, not saying he's our man but the chalice is poisoned.

 

He must have seen Leeds fight with grit and unity tonight to beat Man U to steer them away for relegation. If only we had that:(

Yes, good win for Leeds, and so telling how much better an attacking team look when crossing is coming in off the correct foot bending away from the keeper. Leeds’s crossing was superb last night and created havoc. Even Daka could’ve  hit the odd one on target.

They looked balanced.

[st albans fox]

Does anyone know if our running stats have improved since his arrival ? 

[Chelmofox]

1 hour ago, Tomo260 said:

3-4-2-1

 

Our formation never changes, infuriating. Must be an instruction from Top, has to be 

It was a rhetorical question - i know what formation Leeds have been playing.

 

I find it a little infuriating reading people say 'Justin has improved since he left' without understanding what is really going on. Last season in particular, he was massively exposed by our useless managers and our setup.  He was asked to bomb up and down the wing all game long against the best the PL had to offer - next to Wout Faes / Okoli with little midfield protection. Everyone could see he was struggling - it was exhausting just to watch - there aren't many players who could have done it without severe burnout. But, in true Leicester style, we couldn't transition from that system and continued to expose him. I only remember Justin being a professional about it - and our fans rewarded him with video clips of all his mistakes.

 

At Leeds, you will notice he's not bombing up and down the wings. Farke has adapted (maybe temporarily - he might still revert to form next season), and their shape protects the defence and they have numbers in midfield. Justin still gets forward when Leeds attack. But its a setup that suits him nowadays and helps him, certainly at this stage in his career.

 

Our setup and formation (and recruitment around it) has been our downfall. Being completely unadaptable has meant that the opposition know exactly what they are going to get, and they know what weakness they can expose. Its so horribly obvious, yet for some reason, any suggestion of anything different falls on deaf ears. I can guarantee I will watch a very very poor Portsmouth side cut through our midfield as though we have children playing, exploiting where Riccy plays, doubling up on the wingers easily whist one of Daka or Ayew ambles about.

Edited 14 April by Chelmofox

[funkyrobot]

I really feel for Rowett, a victim of circumstance. If he had 40 games left he’d have every chance of getting the 4 wins needed to stay up. 

[Chelmofox]

I think its been very quiet with any news or rumours since Saturday. Rowett didnt face the fans at all after the game, which i thought might be a sign he thought he was done for.

 

But all things considered, there has been very little mentioned about anything in socials or the media about him. 

[Deeg67]

On 14/04/2026 at 15:51, AjcW said:

 

Been really impressed with Farke's attitude this season. He seemed like another "my way of the highway" type in terms of style of play and failing in the Premier League, but when it became clear Leeds were heading that way he switched things up. 

 

They've had a wobble recently but I think overall deserve safety if they win at the weekend.

It didn't matter what he did when he was at Norwich, and he knew it. Ownership made no attempt to build a PL squad so if he was going to go down anyway, Farke figured he might as well do it his way. With Leeds he knew he had enough to have a chance, and it was switching formations (at halftime of the Man City match) that really turned their season around.

[ClaphamFox]

3 minutes ago, Chelmofox said:

I think its been very quiet with any news or rumours since Saturday. Rowett didnt face the fans at all after the game, which i thought might be a sign he thought he was done for.

 

But all things considered, there has been very little mentioned about anything in socials or the media about him. 

What would be the point in sacking him now? It wouldn't make any difference.

[Ormondroyd8ftTall]

Did we sack Marti too soon? Should we have just kept him on?

 

I was Marti out at the time and no one has a crystal ball, but we mightve well just kept him in hindsight

[Samilktray]

1 minute ago, Ormondroyd8ftTall said:

Did we sack Marti too soon? Should we have just kept him on?

 

I was Marti out at the time and no one has a crystal ball, but we mightve well just kept him in hindsight

If we hadn't sacked him we wouldnt have funded Gaz's controversial Lisbon trip

Makes you think

[CosbehFox]

They won't sack Rowett - they let RVN run into the late summer and he had a multi-year deal. Rowett is here till the end of the season, so why spend the money making a small pay off? Particularly if the rumour I heard about him saying this is his last managerial job is true. 

[CrazyKopCorner]

On 13/04/2026 at 22:43, Lesterlad said:

With all due respect. Rowett is crap

Harsh, 

 

If Gary played 500 games then the games we have recently played would be in the top 250 which he won and didn't deserve to win I think you'll find. 

 

The man clearly and eloquently gets his point across with comparison, metaphor and simile - A breath of ....... 'I'd give that half an hour' air 

[trooky]

On 13/04/2026 at 22:41, Tomo260 said:

Poor Gary, not his fault really, not saying he's our man but the chalice is poisoned.

 

He must have seen Leeds fight with grit and unity tonight to beat Man U to steer them away for relegation. If only we had that:(

It is Rowett and Cifuentes fault, this squad was more than good enough to stay up, we all thought we would get the play-offs even with a points deduction. 

 

They've both persisted with the same players and formation, especially Rowett, all season without ever trying anything different. 

 

The pre-season was a disaster, but any decent manager keeps this squad in the championship. 

Edited 15 April by trooky

[Chelmofox]

14 minutes ago, ClaphamFox said:

What would be the point in sacking him now? It wouldn't make any difference.

Because he is sh1te and his record is worse than Marti's. 

[trooky]

9 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

They won't sack Rowett - they let RVN run into the late summer and he had a multi-year deal. Rowett is here till the end of the season, so why spend the money making a small pay off? Particularly if the rumour I heard about him saying this is his last managerial job is true. 

Surely his contract will expire after the last game of the season

[ClaphamFox]

Just now, Chelmofox said:

Because he is sh1te and his record is worse than Marti's. 

It would probably cost money and nobody else is going to come in and keep us up. What would be the benefit?

[Lesterlad]

10 minutes ago, CrazyKopCorner said:

Harsh, 

 

If Gary played 500 games then the games we have recently played would be in the top 250 which he won and didn't deserve to win I think you'll find. 

 

The man clearly and eloquently gets his point across with comparison, metaphor and simile - A breath of ....... 'I'd give that half an hour' air 

His team selections are baffling. His substitutions are blatantly late and reactive. He plays slow turgid football. He plays it safe from beginning and when we go a goal behind he has no plan b. To top it off he was sacked by a club in a relegation fight because they had no faith in him. And he doesn’t appear to know what he’s doing in the touchline. So I stick with my opinion 

[HankMarvin]

Ended up with this sack of shit.

Meanwhile Brian Barry Murphy ends up as a championship manager, nominated by the EFL for the Manager of the Season awards and has been linked to the Strasbourg and Celtic jobs. 

[Ashley]

On 13/04/2026 at 21:43, Corky said:

I think we still have a pull. The amount of talk positively around the ownership is baffling but mentioned. Again, the discussion about the quality of the squad exists so one of these coaches probably thinks they can turn it around.

We 100% have the pull. The ground the TG. 

 

We NEED to get the next managerial appointment correct. Its going to be one hell of a rebuild.