Gary Rowett's ode to Birmingham City fans as interim manager explains next steps

Birmingham City interim manager Gary Rowett has hailed the support from the St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park crowd following Blues’ relegation to League One.

The 50-year-old, employed under strange circumstances for an eight-match period to round off the campaign, has also confirmed his involvement at the football club is over. Rowett is happy to offer further support if desired from the boardroom but expects his time with Blues to have reached a second conclusion.

Over 25,000 Bluenoses watched on as their side fought hard to beat Norwich City by one goal to nil but it ultimately wasn’t enough due to results elsewhere. The draws at Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town were missed opportunities, while other poor showings earlier in the term will undoubtedly be looked back upon as what-ifs.

Nonetheless, Rowett is proud of the togetherness shown by the fanbase. “I’ve got to say, the atmosphere in the stadium was probably the best I’ve ever heard before a game. It was absolutely electric and the fans - as we always knew - more than played their part,” Rowett said post-match.

“I think the players actually delivered today, they put in a really good performance against a very good Norwich side. When you know that’s not enough, there’s of course a feeling of dejection. I said to the players it’s hard to go out and clap the fans when you feel embarrassed but I said that’s the very least they could do,” Rowett continued.

Rowett outlines next steps

Upon the expiry of his brief Birmingham deal, the departing boss was asked about his plans for the future. There’s still an unknown about the return of Tony Mowbray, while Mark Venus and co aren’t confirmed to be returning immediately. But Rowett believes he won’t have any more involvement, with enough faces around to take care of business over the summer.

“That was the situation originally, it was never anything else,” Rowett confirmed. “It was can you come in for eight games and can you save us? Most people said, ‘Why would you do that? Why would you go in for eight games and why put yourself in that position when you don’t need to?’ But it just felt like the right thing to do.

“It can happen at different clubs but Birmingham City has been one when I left it always felt like there might’ve been an opportunity to come back. And that’s not from a melancholic perspective, that’s from unfinished business. I’m disappointed that finished business was relegation, I didn’t want that and I didn’t expect that. But I wanted to put myself in that position. If it’s me that has to stand here now, so be it.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over for now. If the club want my opinion on some of the things over the eight weeks, of course I will try and help them with that. But I’m sure they’ve got enough people with enough experience to mull over what they need to do next. I’m sure there’ll be a period of quiet and reflection and then I’m sure like most summers a period of action.

“Like I’ve told you before, it’s an incredibly exciting time for the football club. I know it’s a really disappointing day today and it feels a little like the club has gone to ground zero for the first time in that period but I believe if we get it right on the pitch, off the pitch it’s really exciting. It’s a difficult moment but hopefully they’ll make it,” Rowett concluded.