GARY Rowett is Oxford United’s number one target to replace the sacked Des Buckingham, with talks ongoing between the 50-year-old and the club.
The former defender boasts plenty of Sky Bet Championship managerial experience, something the U’s are keen to have on board.
Rowett has managed Birmingham City, Derby County, Stoke City and Millwall in the Championship, and it was with the latter he spent the most time, managing close to four years from October 2019.
He led the Lions to eighth place in the Championship, and then 11th, ninth and eighth in his three full seasons, before leaving by mutual consent last October.
We caught up with South London Press sports editor Richard Cawley to get the lowdown on Rowett.
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What is Rowett’s preferred playing style and set-up?
He mixed it up a little bit when he was at Millwall, but tended to prefer a wing back system with a three-man defence.
They had a really good defensive system and were tough to play against. They weren’t the most thrilling side, but they didn’t have the biggest budget to be able to do that.
He’s an extremely shrewd Championship operator and he will set the team up to be difficult to beat and hard to break down.
How did he got on at Millwall, and how is he remembered there?
He was accepted by Millwall fans, but it’s very difficult to get that hero status. There were two seasons when they were close to the play-offs.
The one that sticks out was his last full season when they were 3-1 up at half-time on the final day, and it imploded with a 4-3 defeat at home against Blackburn Rovers. It was a crushing blow and everyone at The Den was stunned.
When he left, it felt like a natural ending, but Gary is the manager that has got Millwall the closest to the play-offs in the Championship, and there was never any doubt that Millwall would be in danger of going down.
If you look at the budgets, Millwall probably had a lower half one in the Championship. They tend to punch above their weight and fans expect them to do so.
Rowett though exceeded those expectations and did a good job at Millwall.
How did Rowett fare in the transfer market?
Gary had an input, but with modern football, recruitment teams and directors of football are more involved.
Zian Flemming scored plenty of goals and looked a class act at Millwall, and Gary tended to like experienced players, and I suspect that’s what Oxford need.
I wouldn’t expect loads of young players, but players who know the level.
Would Rowett be a good appointment for the U’s?
When you look at the managers out there, he knows the standard. He came in at a similar time at Millwall, and pulled it around without too many problems.
He seems a sensible appointment for Oxford and knows everything the Championship can throw at you.