LATEST NEWS: Exclusive with Gary Rowett: My sadness for England, Everton hopes, and a special link to Birmingham

Gary Rowett has returned to Birmingham City after an almost eight-year absence, with the goal of leading the Blues away from the danger of Championship relegation.

The St Andrew’s supporters welcomed Rowett back after he had also spent two years in Birmingham’s back four. This came about when recently appointed Tony Mowbray had to resign down owing to health concerns. Just a few weeks had passed since Mowbray took over in his new role as Wayne Rooney’s successor.

According to Rowett, who is currently in charge of June, Birmingham has undergone significant transformation since he was manager there. Before reevaluating things in the summer, the new ownership structure isn’t even a year old, so they’re desperate for Rowett to keep the team afloat.

Days before he decided to accept the position of interim manager, Rowett talked with Tribalfootball.com about his background, his time as a manager, and his brilliant playing career, which includes stints in the Premier League with Everton, Leicester City, and Charlton Athletic.

Gary, you’ve managed and played for three different clubs, which is nearly unheard of. Was that merely a coincidence?

“I believe it’s always simple to go back to a place where you’ve performed since you have a sentimental bond with the staff and supporters there.

“In the instance of Birmingham City, I was able to accomplish really good performances during my two years there as a player then returned as a coach during the team’s difficult times. You have that relationship with the supporters, but you also need to succeed and win games in order to achieve results. If you do, though, it feels distinct from other clubs.

Burton and Derby were the same, too. Different clubs have different histories, but because of your playing experience, I believe it makes things easier when you have that connection to the club.

“I found it easier to go back… but I am running out of these clubs so that is a problem for me!”

Birmingham, what about it? There, fans continue to discuss about you.

“Yes, they’ve had a typical championship season where you make some coaching decisions and it goes wrong and you lose continuity. It’s been very difficult for them this season.”

“The championship depends heavily on that sense of continuity. To succeed in this competition, you must maintain consistency over an extended period of time, whether it be in your message or your playing style. Given the coach’s current illness, I’ll just add that I hope Tony Mowbray recovers quickly.”

You are well aware of the Championship; how competitive is the league?

“The world’s most competitive league is arguably the Championship. Although it may sound absurd to say, there are four or five teams in the Eredivisie, Ligue 1, La Liga, and Serie A that stand out from the rest. Rather, it is evident from the Championship that the lowest clubs easily defeat the so-called elite teams each weekend. It’s a very tough league this season with Leicester, Leeds, Ipswich, and Southampton vying for the top two slots and ten teams vying for the play-offs.”

You’ve worked with some outstanding players around the Football League. Who is particularly noteworthy?

You’ve worked with some outstanding players around the Football League. Who is particularly noteworthy?

“Very challenging because I’ve collaborated with so many talented players.” I would bring up John Mousinho, who is coaching at Portsmouth and doing a great job at it, as well as Michael Morrison, Maikel Kieftenbeld, Tom Huddlestone, and Curt Davies. I can identify a lot of players because, as I mentioned earlier, I have had the great fortune to coach a lot of excellent players.”

What about your playing career, Gary? You had some great highs in the Premier League…

“It’s difficult to respond to it because each club has a unique atmosphere, and every club teaches you something. I think Derby was a good period for me because we went into the Premier League and we were 4th for a long time that season. We beat Arsenal 3-0, we drew 2-2 with Manchester United so we had really good performances and results.

“Probably the most difficult experience was when I went to Charlton, which back then was a mid-table club in the Premier League and I was 28 became the captain of the club and had the chance to play for England. But in that period I got injured and never recovered… I ended up retiring at 30 years old.”

Along with Derby, you had two years with Leicester…

“It was a really good experience for me, I was there when the club had just won the League Cup and qualified for Europe. We played against Red Star Belgrade in the qualifying round, and it was a great experience for me to play in this European competition.

“I played in every match of that first season so personally and as a team it was a really good. The next year I got injured and the team struggled for different reasons, in that time the club wasn’t the club in that dimension when they won the Premier League but they were building to achieve that dimension.

“It was quite incredible for me to see them winning the Premier League, so I enjoyed my time at Leicester and it was a good experience for me.”

You spent time as a young player at Everton. But what about today and their points penalty battle. Can they stay up?

“Yeah very difficult season for them, I know (Sean) Dyche and I felt Everton needed that type of manager to try and drag them out of the relegation zone. I think he has done a very good job until now despite all the difficulties with the changing of the owners, and the points reduction.

“I think they have enough qualities, cohesion, and togetherness to stay out of the relegation zone. But I think the club needs to get back to the level they have been known for because I think Everton should be a top 10 side.”

And across Merseyside we see Jurgen Klopp stepping down at Liverpool…

“I think the obvious one is Xabi Alonso, I have seen his team this season and they have been impressing not only regarding the results but also their performances, their style of play. For me, it is the obvious fit because Xabi has played for the club, has won for the club, and understands the fans and what it means to Liverpool despite being slightly different from Klopp in his playing philosophy.

“For me it is exciting to see who will take that role because it is not easy to replace a coach like Klopp.”

What about the Premier League title race overall?

“I think its a very exciting season this year, you have three teams fighting for the title like Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and all are very strong. Liverpool with the news of Klopp leaving makes them stronger, City is always very strong and hard to beat, and Arsenal are closer this year to win it.

“Then you have another battle for the top 4 with teams like Villa, Tottenham, and (Manchester) United fighting for that spot. It’s a very strong league, we have some of the top coaches in our country, and it is and will be until the last minute an exciting season.”

And then we’re off to the Euros. What about England’s chances in Germany?

“England has some terrifically talented players at the moment, the coach has a really good squad to choose from and I think Gareth (Southgate) has done a really good job during his time with the national team.

“There was a time when people wouldn’t put England amongst the favourites to win the competitions but now thanks to Gareth’s work England is one of the 5-6 favourite teams to win every tournament they take part in.

“We have come very close to winning it, but still haven’t managed to get it yet and I think England should win a tournament to validate this period under Southgate. I think we have made great progress in recent years and I am interested to see if Southgate wants to continue or if he wants to try an experience as a club football coach because I think he will get very important offers in that case.”