Millwall have announced that Gary Rowett has left by mutual consent. The team are 15th in the Championship, only three points off the playoff places, but the manager said “the time just feels right to part ways”.
A club statement read: “Millwall Football Club can confirm it has mutually agreed to part company with first-team manager Gary Rowett.” The chairman, James Berylson, said: “We greatly appreciate Gary’s efforts throughout his time in charge and he departs with the best wishes of everybody connected with the club.
“While my time working directly with Gary has been short, I have thoroughly enjoyed all our interactions and feel that he leaves us having enhanced the club’s on-pitch status during four successful years in charge.”
Rowett was appointed manager in October 2019, shortly after Neil Harris had resigned. Millwall acknowledged they had made progress under the 49-year-old, adding he had “led the club to top-half finishes in each campaign, regularly challenging for a place in the playoffs along the way”.
Rowett said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed being manager of Millwall and depart with a feeling that the club has progressed during my tenure. As is sometimes the case in football, the time just feels right to part ways.
“I would like to thank John Berylson, James, Steve Kavanagh, Alex Aldridge, my backroom staff, and everyone behind the scenes for their hard work and support.”
Adam Barrett, the assistant manager, and Paul Robinson, the first-team coach, have taken charge on a temporary basis.