Following Rowett’s exit, a former League One manager attacked Millwall fans

Jobi McAnuff, the former interim head coach of Leyton Orient, has spoken out against the way some Millwall supporters have been treating Gary Rowett in recent weeks.

The former manager of Birmingham City and Derby County was said to have departed the team by “mutual consent” on Wednesday night. The Lions are ranked 15th in the Championship this season, despite only missing out in the playoffs the previous year.

Assistant manager Adam Barrett will take charge of the team in the interim and might be on the sidelines this weekend as Millwall travels to Preston North End because there isn’t a clear contender to follow Rowett in the dugout.

As the London team fell farther down the table in recent weeks, Rowett has been under growing criticism. McAnuff, a former Reading player, thinks it was “ridiculous” to let the 47-year-old go.

McAnuff criticized fans for their criticism of Rowett in an interview with BBC 5 Live [quoted via Football League World]:

“I have to admit that I think this is just another stupid decision. It is clearly silly season when it comes to managers losing their jobs right now.

Yes, it’s quite simple to glance at the league table and see their current standing, but Millwall Football Club feels that, considering their performance over the last few seasons and their time generally under Gary Rowett, where he has made improvements and really been striving for that play-off squad, that’s not where they should be.

However, you’re talking about a win or two away from immediately reentering the play-off picture. I just think it’s crazy, and this is probably an unpopular position anywhere outside of Millwall,” he said.

“I am aware that the supporters aren’t content. Some of the chants hurled at him during the Norwich game were absolutely absurd considering what he has accomplished for the football team.

“I’ve got to say, I’m just really disappointed to see him go. I think he gave everything into that role.”

Rowett may be a byproduct of his own success because he had been operating on a tight budget at Millwall. In football, it happens frequently that a manager takes over a struggling team, and the team plays well above its ability until finally regressing to the mean, at which point the coach is fired. Tony Mowbray, who played for Blackburn Rovers, is another illustration of this.

Even though Rowett is sad to be leaving, he will undoubtedly have plenty more offers.