Derby County are delighted to announce that manager Gary Rowett has signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with the club in pursuit of a return to the Premier League.
Rowett, who has guided the Rams to second place in the Sky Bet Championship table after 26 matches so far this season, has put pen-to-paper a new deal which will run until the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
Discussions about extending the 43-year-old’s contract began in early December when it was clear that he had demonstrated his ability to galvanise and motivate the squad, dramatically improve individual and team performance, structure and organise the back-office functions to leverage the club’s superb facilities, strengthen the connection between first-team and the academy and, of course, to deliver significant results against teams at all levels in the Championship.
The board of Derby County are thrilled with Gary, and his on-and-off field teams’ contributions, and feel it is therefore appropriate to secure his services for the longer term.
Mel Morris, Derby County’s Executive Chairman, said: “Gary is a hugely talented football manager who has shown what can be achieved at this great club.
“He is a pleasure to work with and this is acknowledged at all levels within the club.
“Supported by Gary embracing the club’s objectives and with his leadership, we have been able to create a sense of unity which is key to our on-going development and our quest for Premier League football.
“While results are of course the true measure of our success Gary has helped our squad reach new heights in terms of individual and team performance, motivation and morale. Our football operations have never been in better shape.”
Rowett stated: “I am thrilled to extend my contract with this great club through to 2021 and I have thoroughly enjoyed being back at Derby County.
“I would like to thank my immediate staff and back-office teams who have been a massive factor in our progress to date, and will be a critical part of our success moving forward.
“The first-team squad have also been superb to work with and have really embraced the changes we felt were necessary for success; they are a joy to work with.
“I would also like to thank our Chairman, Mel Morris, for the support and guidance he has provided in so many areas of the club.
“We have a great relationship which is critical, particularly when so many things needed rapid change. I am looking forward to the future and helping to guide Derby County back to the Premier League, where it belongs.”
Rowett has taken charge of 38 matches as Derby’s manager since his appointment in March of last year.
He has overseen 19 wins, 10 draws and nine defeats, providing a win percentage of 50%, and he was named as the Championship’s Manager of the Month for October 2017.
