Birmingham City are making 'sensible' decision with 'genuine leader' Gary Rowett - Former Wolves, West Brom & Sunderland striker

Birmingham City's appointment of Gary Rowett is a 'win-win' and they are getting a genuine leader, according to a former West Brom and Wolves striker.

The 50-year-old was appointed as interim manager late last night and will take on the role until the end of the season. He replaces Mark Venus who was stepping in for Tony Mowbray who has been given a period of absence whilst he recovers from an illness.

Rowett returns to St Andrew's having been relieved of his duties in controversial circumstances seven years ago. He was most recently in charge of Millwall but left in October following four years at the club.

Don Goodman, who played for West Brom, Sunderland and Wolves hailed the former midfielder as a 'genuine leader' and said that it was a sensible decision to appoint him. He has managed more than 500 games in football and has taken charge of three clubs at Championship level.

Commenting on the situation to Sky Sports News, Goodman said: "Results haven't gone well. I know Mark Venus, he's a friend of mine. He's a coach and whilst had results gone a little bit better, it would have been okay to deal with it with Tony at the end of the phone to give him a little bit of guidance.

"Ultimately things haven't gone well in terms of results. Perhaps they haven't got the points that some of the performances have deserved but they are entrenched in a relegation battle and so it seems like a really sensible decision to bring in a genuine leader in to the building.

"It's someone who is used to delivering motivational speeches, used to dealing with one-to-one in a managerial capacity."

Rowett left his role at Millwall by mutual consent in October. He managed to avoid getting sacked like many do at this level, with several clubs including Birmingham having more than one manager this term. Even though Rowett's contract only runs until the end of the season, it is a move that will be beneficial to both parties.

Goodman added: "I think Gary is one of a rare breed in that he parted ways in his last job having done a brilliant job and not overseeing a team that was in relegation trouble. It was just agreeing the hierarchy of Millwall that the time was right for them to part ways.

"His stock is high anyway, he's a very experienced manager and he knows the Championship inside and out. He will expect to go in there and have enough of an influence to be able to allow Birmingham to survive. It won't do his CV or credentials any harm, it's a win-win."