The former Birmingham boss was dismissed earlier this month, with his side just outside the playoff places, and there are a number of struggling Premier League and Championship clubs who might have made him a late addition to their Christmas list.
With the untimely sacking of Gary Rowett from Birmingham City earlier this month, chairman and owners up and down the land would have their eye on that one more stocking filler, namely the 42 year-old’s employ.
Dismissed despite having won nine of seventeen league outings, the former Burton Albion boss has become hot property over the last few seasons. Now since his surprise departure, his stock has risen substantially.
Gary Rowett
Rowett himself has told Sky Sports he has been been offered openings, but who might have him on their managerial replacement list?
Nottingham Forest
With unrest at the City Ground still prevailing, manager Philippe Montanier is still under considerable pressure at Nottingham Forest.
Since taking over with The Reds, his side sit perilously close to the bottom three in the Sky Bet Championship, with almost half the season gone.
Nottingham Forest manager Philippe Montanier
As rumours of a takeover circle behind the scenes, owner Fawaz-Al-Hasawi has stuck by his Montanier, but should plans change either business-wise or economically, the managerial merry-go-round in football never stops.
Much will decide on their upcoming games, but with festive trips to both Newcastle United and Huddersfield, it could be an unhappy period for Forest fans. That could prompt action.
Swansea City
A third manager in less than half than a season may be hard to stomach for Swansea fans, but with the club facing a return to the Championship for the first time since 2011, swift action may need to be taken.
Bob Bradley has found life in South Wales tough going since taking over from Francesco Guidolin in November. For Chairman Huw Jenkins to ponder, could and would Gary Rowett make the step up to the top tier?
Swansea City manager Bob Bradley
The Swans could hedge their bets and stick with Bradley even if they fell through the Premier League trapdoor, but might a play for a youthful and talented boss in the vein of Rowett suit?
Swansea have a history of recruited young managers with both Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez’s successful reigns and could do worse – albeit as a bit of a gamble in the hope of staving off relegation.
Blackburn Rovers
A club similar in stature to Birmingham, Rovers have not seen the glory days in Lancashire since their drop to The Championship in the same year that Swansea went the other way.
Owen Coyle’s side sit in the third relegation zone spot, two points from safety.
As the board and fans brace themselves for a dogfight to prevent dropping into League One next season, a move for Rowett in Coyle’s stead is not so far-fetched to imagine.
Blackburn Rovers manager Owen Coyle
Blackburn have lost 13 out of 22 games this term, having lost their last three on the bounce. Victories away to both Newcastle and Derby have been small crumbs of comfort for Rovers and their fans.
With Coyle less than sixth months into his stewardship at a third club in Lancashire after Burnley and Bolton, is now the right time from the club’s controversy-laden owners Venkys to pull the trigger and go for a fresh approach?
Ipswich Town
In the less likely spectrum of Gary Rowett’s potential new employers, Ipswich have suffered an inconsistent first half of this season.
Having gone through over 500 minutes of game time this term without a goal, even Mick McCarthy’s trademark 1-0 wins have vanished.
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy
As the Irishman continues to polarise the Tractor Boys’ fanbase, McCarthy is now into his fifth year at Portman Road. Whilst Ipswich are not immediately at risk of a relegation scrap this term, more mid-table mediocrity beckons for the Suffolk club this term.
Complaints from the fans of turgid, unattractive football have so far been met with deaf ears by owner Marcus Evans.
Gary Rowett would strike a chord with Ipswich fans much like George Burley did during his eight year reign, with hopes of finally taking the club back to the English top-flight.
Nevertheless, a switching of manager would represent a major gamble – even with an impending transfer window on the horizon – and could yet throw the Tractor Boys into the mire, with surely too much ground to make up at the opposite end of the table.
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