Gary Rowett expects added spice when Derby meet Nottingham Forest
Tuesday 14 March 2017 17:54, UK
Gary Rowett says the fact that both himself and Mark Warburton will be in the dugout for the first time at their new clubs will add spice to Derby’s trip to rivals Nottingham Forest.
The former Birmingham boss was appointed at the Rams on Tuesday following the sacking of Steve McClaren and he accepted that it will be a "very unique situation" in facing Warburton, who will also be taking charge of his new side for the first time after being appointed on the same day.
Rowett, who spent three years at Derby as a player between 1995 and 1998, told Sky Sports News HQ that there is no better way to start his tenure in charge at the club than with a trip to Forest on Saturday.
"I think so [more spice to Forest-Derby clash]. It's going to be a very unique situation, a local derby with both new managers trying to win their first game," he said.
"I think it's a great game for both of us. The fact that we're away from home might give us a bit more leeway in how we approach the game, I think there's a bit more pressure on Forest of course but neither of us are going to know exactly how we're going to play but we know each other quite well.
"It's a game that's self-motivating for the players and what better way to start your tenure than that."
Rowett was sacked as Birmingham manager in December, with the club seventh in the Sky Bet Championship and had been linked with a variety of roles, including at Warburton's former club Rangers, as well as the Nottingham Forest job.
However, that takeover collapsed, with the 43-year-old rejecting interest in his services due to concerns over the structure at the City Ground and he says he has turned down job offers elsewhere in the hope that a club with the "size and stature" of Derby would come along.
"I think I've had lots of different opportunities, lots of different avenues which, if I'd explored further, could have led to job opportunities, so I think for me it was all about waiting for the right next step and when you're offered a job you take it on the merits that it is," he said.
"Certainly for me I was hoping for a challenge of this magnitude, I was hoping for a club of this size and stature, and I'm really excited for this opportunity at Derby County which has come along.
"It's been an interesting period for me, I've been able to reflect on my time previously, and some of the things I've learned and to try to improve as a manager and I've felt that period has been important.
"I've had to try to be patient, I've turned one or two things down in the hope that something more appropriate would come up. It's a fantastic club and opportunity for me and my staff and it's one I'm thoroughly looking forward to."
