Gary Rowett says he can’t rule out Birmingham City exit amid Derby County link

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The Blues boss has been tipped to replace Nigel Pearson at the iPro Stadium.

Gary Rowett has refused to rule out the possibility he could leave Birmingham City amid reported interest from Derby County.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, Rowett admitted it was a compliment to be linked with his former club, whose current boss Nigel Pearson was suspended on Tuesday and is not expected to return.

Rowett, who is working on one of the Championship’s smallest budgets, has helped the Blues to consistently punch above their weight in the second tier.

Since his arrival from Burton Albion two years ago – at which point Birmingham were 23nd in the table and had just lost 8-0 at home to Bournemouth – the Midlands outfit have finished 10th twice and currently occupy seventh place.

Derby though, possess considerably better finances, facilities and arguably a better squad, and would perhaps be difficult for any Championship boss to turn down.

“It’s a compliment but I can reiterate again I am really happy at the club. I can’t control the future,” Rowett told the Birmingham Mail.

“The life of a football manager is precarious, if I lose the next six games can I still guarantee that I am still going to be manager of Birmingham City? I can’t. I could get sacked.

“I read an article recently that almost suggested new owners are going to come in and I could potentially leave because that’s what some new owners in the region have done.

“The point I am making is you can never rule anything out. I can’t sit here and say: ‘All 91 clubs in the league, I would never ever manage’, because I might not have a job here forever.”

Pearson’s assistant Chris Powell has taken temporary charge of Derby in his absence, and is among the candidates to replace him full-time according to the Daily Mail.

As well as Rowett and, the report claims the Rams will approach Huddersfield boss David Wagner once Pearson is sacked, adding that Steve Bruce, Paul Lambert and Neil Warnock could also be considered.