New Millwall boss Gary Rowett demands 'Premier League mentality' for promotion push

Looking up: Millwall are 17th and seven points off the play-offs
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Giuseppe Muro22 October 2019

New Millwall manager Gary Rowett says he wants to build a “Premier League mentality” at the Den and get the club in a position to challenge for promotion.

Rowett has also revealed he spoke to former Lions boss Neil Harris before taking over and says he is hungry to prove himself again after being sacked by Stoke in his previous job.

“What I think we can bring is what we have done at previous clubs, which is, whether now or in the future, is challenge for the top positions,” said the former Birmingham, Derby and Stoke manager. “With Birmingham we showed we could take a team in a much poorer position into a position just around the play-offs. That will be the aim.

“I am realistic that we want to build properly but the aim every season in the Championship is to get into the Premier League. You have to have that Premier League mentality, even if you are in the Championship trying to get out of it. That mentality of trying to win every game is going to be important.”

Rowett, 45, will be in the stands when Millwall host Cardiff on Tuesday and his first official game in charge will be against his former club Stoke at the Den on Saturday.

Callum Davidson has been named as his assistant, while Joe Carnall comes in as technical coach and Millwall caretaker Adam Barrett will stay on as part of the coaching staff.

Before taking the job, Rowett spoke to ex-Millwall boss Harris who quit the Den earlier this month after more than four years in charge.

“I spoke to Neil quite soon after he left,” said Rowett. “Typical of the character he is, he spoke volumes about the club and the fans, and felt it was a great opportunity. We just wanted to be back part of something we can build. We are respectful of the fact Neil and Dave [Livermore] have done such good work, we want to take it on in our way.

“I believe the team is capable of more. We will be working to bring a bit of success to the club. However people want to define that is up to them, for us it will be about approaching every game and trying to be excellent at everything.

“The quicker we can get a team out there that reflects the fans’ characteristics and what they expect from a team, which is that endeavour, graft, hard work, desire, with a bit of skill and a quick attacking way of playing.

Rowett was sacked by Stoke in January after just eight months in charge and says he wants to prove himself again at Millwall, who sit 17th in the Championship.

“The Stoke experience made me a better manager,” he said. “You try to use your experiences positively. Being out that long gives you that hunger back and that desire to prove yourself again as a manager. We are hungry and desperate to be successful again.

“Getting an opportunity at a club like this, a passionate club with a great history, I cannot wait to get started. We need a bit of patience to install our ideas but we want to hit the ground running."

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