:Gary Bowyer

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Gary Bowyer

| image = Gary Bowyer, 2019.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Gary Bowyer in 2019

| fullname = Gary David Bowyer{{Hugman|1988|access-date=5 July 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|6|22|df=y}}

| birth_place = Manchester, England

| height =

| position = Full-back

| currentclub = Burton Albion (manager)

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Westfields

| years1 = 1989–1990

| clubs1 = Hereford United

| caps1 = 14

| goals1 = 2

| years2 = 1990–1995

| clubs2 = Nottingham Forest

| caps2 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 1995–1997

| clubs3 = Rotherham United

| caps3 = 38

| goals3 = 2

| totalcaps = 52

| totalgoals = 4

| manageryears1 = 2012–2013

| managerclubs1 = Blackburn Rovers (caretaker)

| manageryears2 = 2013

| managerclubs2 = Blackburn Rovers (caretaker)

| manageryears3 = 2013–2015

| managerclubs3 = Blackburn Rovers

| manageryears4 = 2016–2018

| managerclubs4 = Blackpool

| manageryears5 = 2019–2020

| managerclubs5 = Bradford City

| manageryears6 = 2021

| managerclubs6 = Salford City (interim)

| manageryears7 = 2021–2022

| managerclubs7 = Salford City

| manageryears8 = 2022–2023

| managerclubs8 = Dundee

| manageryears9 = 2024–

| managerclubs9 = Burton Albion

}}

Gary David Bowyer (born 22 June 1971) is an English professional football coach and former player who is the manager of Burton Albion.

As a player, he made 52 league appearances for Hereford United, Nottingham Forest and Rotherham United in a professional career that lasted eight years, before retiring due to injury in 1997, aged 25. He won the Football League Trophy with Rotherham United in 1995–96, his only honour as a player.

After working as a coach at a number of clubs, he has managed Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Bradford City and Salford City (twice). He guided Blackpool to promotion, via the play-offs, from League Two to League One in 2016–17.

Early and personal life

Bowyer was born on 22 June 1971 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. His father, Ian, was also a professional footballer;{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18025561.bradford-city-boss-recalls-childhood-cup-memories/|title=Bowyer recalls childhood cup memories, including dad's trip to church|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=9 November 2019 }}{{cite web |url=http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/bob.dunning/sonsand.htm |title=Sons and Daughters |access-date=10 September 2010 |publisher=Bob Dunning |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831175648/http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/bob.dunning/sonsand.htm |archive-date=31 August 2010 }} the two played together at Hereford United.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33535435|title=BBC Sport – Rivaldo: World Cup winner and son score in same Brazilian match|work=BBC Sport}}

Playing career

After playing in non-League football for Westfields, Bowyer, a full-back, signed for Football League team Hereford United on non-contract terms, making 14 appearances in the 1989–90 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player6/garybowyer.html|title=Profile|access-date=2 January 2013|publisher=Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database}} After the season ended, Bowyer moved to Nottingham Forest, but he did not make a senior Football League appearance for club. Bowyer later signed for Rotherham United, making 38 appearances in the League over the next two seasons, before retiring due to injury at the age of 25.[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/unlikely-saviour-gary-bowyer-plots-indian-summer-blackburn-and-receives-assurances-over-jordan-rhodes-8952584.html "Unlikely saviour Gary Bowyer plots Indian summer for Blackburn, and receives assurances over Jordan Rhodes"] – The Independent, 20 November 2013 Whilst at Rotherham he was a part of the team that won the 1996 Football League Trophy final.{{cite news|url=http://itsmillerstime.co.uk/rotherhams-1996-auto-windscreens-shield-winning-side-where-are-they-now/|title=Rotherham's 1996 Auto Windscreens Shield winning side: Where are they now? |publisher=itsmillerstime.co.uk|date=14 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422053116/http://itsmillerstime.co.uk/rotherhams-1996-auto-windscreens-shield-winning-side-where-are-they-now/ |access-date=12 June 2019|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 April 2017 }}

Coaching career

=Youth coach and move into management=

After retiring as a player, Bowyer began his coaching career working part-time at Ilkeston,{{cite web |url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Blackburn-s-stand-boss-Bowyer-returns-Derby-Cup/story-17790673-detail/story.html|title=Blackburn's stand-in boss Bowyer returns to Derby with Cup success in mind|date=8 January 2013|access-date=30 October 2015|publisher=Derby Telegraph}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} before being appointed as under-17s coach at Derby County, where he spent six years as an academy coach. He then became under-18s coach for Blackburn Rovers in 2004.{{cite web |url=http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/WhereNow/0,,10308~233794,00.html |title=Where Are They Now? |access-date=10 September 2010 |publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C. official website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722131701/http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/WhereNow/0%2C%2C10308~233794%2C00.html |archive-date=22 July 2012 }} He became their reserve-team manager in 2008, and in December 2012 he was appointed as caretaker manager following the dismissal of Henning Berg, steering them to a 3–1 victory over Barnsley in his first game in charge.{{cite web|url=http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/bowyers-praise-after-team-display-566715.aspx|title=Bowyer's praise after team display|publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C.}} It was later announced that Bowyer would remain in charge until the end of January.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20898430|title=Blackburn: Gary Bowyer & Terry McPhillips in charge for January|date=3 January 2013|publisher=BBC Sport}} Bowyer was re-appointed caretaker manager on 19 March 2013, following the sacking of Michael Appleton,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21843906|title=Michael Appleton: Blackburn Rovers sack manager|date=19 March 2013|publisher=BBC Sport}} until the end of the season;{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21903201|title=Blackburn Rovers: Gary Bowyer confirmed as caretaker manager|date=22 March 2013|publisher=BBC Sport}} however, on 26 March Bowyer said he was unsure how long he would remain in the position, in case the club hired a new permanent manager,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21937454|title=Blackburn Rovers: Gary Bowyer managing 'game by game'|date=26 March 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport}} and on 8 April Bowyer was summoned to India for a meeting with the club's owners.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22065236|title=Blackburn: Gary Bowyer called to India for meeting with Venky's |author=Ben Smith and Andy Cryer|date=8 April 2013|publisher=BBC Sport}} Bowyer was appointed the permanent manager of Blackburn on 24 May, on a 12-month rolling contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22599459|title=Gary Bowyer: Blackburn Rovers caretaker manager appointed boss|date=24 May 2013|publisher=BBC Sport}}

In September 2015, he called for goal-line technology to be implemented.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34239503|title=Gary Bowyer: Blackburn Rovers boss calls for goal-line technology|work=BBC Sport}} On 10 November, Bowyer was sacked as manager of Blackburn Rovers.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34783286|title=Gary Bowyer: Blackburn Rovers sack manager after poor start|work=BBC Sport}}

=Blackpool and Bradford City spells=

On 1 June 2016, Bowyer was appointed as manager of Blackpool on a one-year rolling contract, following the club's relegation to EFL League Two.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/article/bowyer-named-new-blackpool-manager-3132371.aspx|title=Bowyer Named New Blackpool Manager|date=1 June 2016|publisher=Blackpool F.C.}} On 28 May 2017, Bowyer guided Blackpool to an immediate return to EFL League One in his first season in charge after his side beat Exeter City 2–1 in the League Two play-off final.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/may/28/blackpool-v-exeter-city-league-two-play-off-final-live|title=Blackpool 2–1 Exeter City: League Two play-off final – as it happened|first=Rob|last=Smyth|date=28 May 2017|website=theguardian.com}} He resigned as Blackpool manager on 6 August 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45090865|title=Gary Bowyer: Blackpool manager leaves after one game of the season|date=6 August 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}}[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2018/august/club-statement-gary-bowyer/ "Club Statement: Gary Bowyer"] – Blackpool F.C.'s official website, 6 August 2018

In February 2019 he was linked with the vacant managerial position at Bradford City.{{cite web |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17464213.bradford-city-candidate-bowyer-wants-to-get-back-in-game/|title=Bowyer on Bantams link: "I'm waiting for an opportunity to arise"|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=27 February 2019 }} On 4 March, Bowyer replaced David Hopkin as Bantams manager, signing a contract until the end of the season,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47441722|title=Gary Bowyer: Bradford City appoint former Blackburn and Blackpool boss as manager|date=4 March 2019|access-date=4 March 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}} with Andy Todd as his assistant.{{cite web |url=https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2019/march/bowyer-takes-bantams-reins/|title=BOWYER TAKES BANTAMS REINS|website=www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk}} Bowyer retained the club's other coaching staff—including Martin Drury, who had been caretaker manager prior to his appointment—{{cite web |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17488598.bradford-city-boss-wont-make-coaching-changes/|title=Bradford City boss won't make coaching changes|date=9 March 2019|access-date=9 March 2019|author=Simon Parker|website=Telegraph & Argus}} and said that all of City's squad players would have a chance to fight for a first-team place.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17478760.bradford-city-new-boss-bowyer-says-places-up-for-grabs/|title=Bowyer's clean slate to Bantams squad|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=6 March 2019 }} In April, he signed a new contract with Bradford City until 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47787733|title=Gary Bowyer: Bradford City manager signs new deal until 2021|date=2 April 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}} He was nominated for the League Two Manager of the Month award for October,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18014781.bradford-city-boss-bowyer-nominated-manager-month/|title=Bradford City boss nominated for manager of the month|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=5 November 2019 }} but later said he was not a "fan" of such awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18016702.gary-bowyer-not-fan-awards-despite-manager-month-nod/|title=Bowyer reveals he's not fan of awards after being nominated|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=6 November 2019 }} Bowyer was sacked by Bradford City on 3 February 2020.[https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18207152.bradford-city-sack-gary-bowyer/ "Bradford City sack manager Gary Bowyer"] – Telegraph & Argus, 3 February 2020

=Derby County youth and Salford City=

He joined Derby County, as coach of their under-23s side, in September 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2020/09/ |title=Bowyer: To be part of this academy is something I couldn't turn down|website=Derby County F.C.}} On 23 March 2021, it was announced that Bowyer was to become manager of League Two side Salford City on a deal lasting until the end of the season, replacing Richie Wellens.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56495205 |title=Gary Bowyer: Salford City appoint former Blackburn Rovers boss as manager |date=23 March 2021 |access-date=23 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport}} The deal came after an arrangement was reached between Salford co-owner Gary Neville and Derby manager Wayne Rooney, whereby Salford would pay no fee to Derby but would pay his wages for the duration of his spell in charge.{{cite web |last=Conway |first=Ryan |url=https://theathletic.com/2473651/2021/03/25/gary-bowyer-salford-derby/ |title=No fee for Bowyer loan to Salford in deal done after Neville called Rooney |work=The Athletic |date=25 March 2021 |access-date=13 September 2021 |url-access=subscription}} He described the move to Salford as the first ever managerial loan.{{cite web |last=Robertson |first=Gregor |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/gary-bowyer-i-may-be-first-manager-to-ever-be-out-on-loan-5kr6hwpt5 |title=Gary Bowyer: I may be first manager to ever be out on loan |work=The Times |date=12 April 2021 |access-date=30 September 2021 |url-access=subscription}} His first game in charge was on 27 March, a 1–0 away defeat to Exeter City,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56465923 |title=Exeter City 1-0 Salford City: Exeter halt a run of three successive defeats as Gary Bowyer's first game as Salford manager ends in a 1-0 loss at St James Park |date=27 March 2021 |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=BBC Sport}} and picked up his first win on 5 April, two Ian Henderson goals giving Salford a 2–0 win against Forest Green Rovers.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/forest-green-rovers-vs-salford-city/430729 |title=Forest Green 0-2 Salford: Ian Henderson double sinks Rovers |date=5 April 2021 |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=Sky Sports}} After achieving 17 points from eight matches to help boost his side's play-off aspirations, Bowyer was awarded the League Two Manager of the Month award for April.{{cite web|url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/manager-player-of-the-month-april-2021/|title=League Two Manager and Player of the Month (April 2021) |website=salfordcityfc.co.uk|date=7 May 2021}} On 10 May he returned to his role as an academy coach at Derby County;{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Andy |url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bowyer-derby-county-man-united-5393440 |title=Bowyer in charge at Manchester United after Derby County return confirmed |date=9 May 2021 |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=Derby Telegraph}} however, two days later on 12 May, it was announced that he had returned to manage Salford City after signing a two-year contract.{{Cite web |last=McDougall |first=John |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/salford-bowyer-manager-derby-rooney-20584643 |title=Gary Bowyer appointed permanent Salford boss and sends Wayne Rooney message |date=12 May 2021 |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=Manchester Evening News}} On 2 August, Billy Barr joined as his assistant manager.{{cite web |last=James |first=Alex |url=https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/blackburn-rovers-billy-barr-salford-21201706 |title='Amazing project' - Billy Barr explains his decision to leave Blackburn Rovers for Salford City |work=Lancashire Telegraph |date=2 August 2021 |access-date=1 September 2021}}

On 21 August 2021, he was booked for shoving Jonny Williams of Swindon Town in a 1–0 defeat, Salford's fourth game without a win at the beginning of the season,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58289533 |title=Salford City 0-1 Swindon Town: Salford's winless start to the League Two season continues as Jack Payne's second-half goal sees Swindon win at Moor Lane |work=BBC Sport |date=21 August 2021 |access-date=28 August 2021}} the club's worst start to a season since the 2014 takeover.{{cite web |url=https://www.newschainonline.com/sport/mens-sport/football/gary-bowyer-not-concerned-about-results-coming-as-salford-lose-to-swindon-220491 |title=Gary Bowyer not concerned about results coming as Salford lose to Swindon |work=Newschain |date=21 August 2021 |access-date=1 September 2021}}

On 17 May 2022, Bowyer was sacked by Salford having narrowly missed out on the play-offs. {{cite web|url=https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/club-statement-170522/|title=Club Statement (17/05/2022)|website=salfordcityfc.com|date=17 May 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/20145347.former-bradford-city-boss-bowyer-sacked-salford/|title=Former Bantams boss Bowyer sacked by Salford|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=17 May 2022 }}

= Dundee =

On 8 June 2022, Bowyer was appointed manager of Scottish Championship club Dundee.{{Cite web |date=8 June 2022 |title=Gary Bowyer appointed manager |url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/gary-bowyer-appointed-manager/ |access-date=8 June 2022 |website=Dundee Football Club - Official Website |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/26263/12630031/gary-bowyer-dundee-appoint-former-salford-boss-as-manager|title=Gary Bowyer: Dundee appoint former Salford boss as manager|website=Sky Sports}} The Dundee board said they liked his youth strategy and success at Blackpool.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/3384696/dundee-gary-bowyer-winning-culture-blackpool-success/|title=New Dundee boss Gary Bowyer on creating winning culture at Dens Park and tapping into Blackpool success|first=George|last=Cran|date=12 June 2022 }} Bowyer was named the Scottish Championship's Manager of the Month for November 2022, with his team having won every game that month.{{Cite web |title=Bowyer voted Manager of Month {{!}} SPFL |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/bowyer-voted-manager-of-month |access-date=30 November 2022 |website=spfl.co.uk}} He would win the award again for March 2023,{{Cite web |title=Bowyer named Manager of Month {{!}} SPFL |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/bowyer-named-manager-of-the-month |access-date=5 April 2023 |website=spfl.co.uk}} as he led the club on a promotion push and would win the Scottish Championship with Dundee at the end of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64656196|title=The 'anorak' leading Dundee's promotion charge|work=BBC Sport |date=16 February 2023 }}{{Cite news |title=Dundee back in Premiership after eight-goal epic |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65420805 |access-date=5 May 2023}}

On 10 May 2023, Bowyer was named as the SPFL Scottish Championship Manager of the Year.{{Cite web |last=Cran |first=George |title=Dundee boss Gary Bowyer wins Championship Manager of the Season as doubts persist over his future at Dens Park |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/4375009/dundee-gary-bowyer-championship-manager-year-doubts/ |access-date=10 May 2023 |website=The Courier |date=10 May 2023 |language=en-GB}} Later that day, Bowyer departed Dundee as manager, alongside assistant Billy Barr.{{Cite web |date=10 May 2023 |title=Gary and Billy depart |url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/gary-and-billy-depart/ |access-date=10 May 2023 |website=Dundee Football Club - Official Website |language=en-US}}{{cite web |url=https://news.stv.tv/sport/gary-bowyer-exits-dundee-days-after-winning-championship-title |title=Gary Bowyer exits Dundee days after winning Championship title |first=Andy |last=Coyle |website=STV News |date=10 May 2023 |accessdate=10 May 2023}}

=Burton Albion=

On 17 December 2024, Bowyer was named head coach of League One side Burton Albion. At the time of his appointment, the club were sitting in 23rd position, nine points from safety.{{Cite web|url=https://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/bowyer-man-brewers-name-head-9800825|title=Bowyer is the man as Brewers name head coach|first=Colston|last=Crawford|date=17 December 2024|website=Staffordshire Live}} {{cite web|url=https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/2024/december/17/gary-bowyer-named-new-burton-albion-head-coach/|title=GARY BOWYER NAMED NEW BURTON ALBION HEAD COACH|website=www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk|date=17 December 2024|accessdate=18 December 2024}} He guided the club to safety, in what the BBC described as a "miracle".{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cjdx410pmjgo|title=Gary Bowyer: Burton Albion boss described as 'miracle' worker|date=30 April 2025|website=BBC Sport}}

Managerial statistics

class=wikitable style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan=2\|Team !rowspan=2\|From !rowspan=2\|To !colspan=5\|Record
{{abbr\|P\|Matches played}}	{{abbr\|W\|Matches won}}	{{abbr\|D\|Matches drawn}}	{{abbr\|L\|Matches lost}}	{{abbr\|Win %\|Win percentage}}
align=left\|Blackburn Rovers (caretaker) \|align=left\|27 December 2012 \|align=left\|11 January 2013 {{WDL\|4\|3\|1\|0\|decimals=1}}
align=left\|Blackburn Rovers (caretaker) \|align=left\|19 March 2013 \|align=left\|24 May 2013 {{WDL\|9\|3\|3\|3\|decimals=1}}
align=left\|Blackburn Rovers \|align=left\|24 May 2013 \|align=left\|10 November 2015 {{WDL\|118\|41\|43\|34\|decimals=1}}
align=left\|Blackpool \|align=left\|1 June 2016 \|align=left\|6 August 2018 {{WDL\|115\|42\|40\|33\|decimals=1}}
align=left\|Bradford City \|align=left\|4 March 2019 \|align=left\|3 February 2020 {{WDL\|48\|14\|15\|19\|decimals=1}}
align=left\|Salford City (interim) \|align=left\|23 March 2021 \|align=left\|10 May 2021 {{WDL\|11\|6\|2\|3\|decimals=1}}
align=left\|Salford City \|align=left\|12 May 2021 \|align=left\|17 May 2022 {{WDL\|52\|21\|14\|17\|decimals=1}}
align=left\|Dundee \|align=left\|8 June 2022 \|align=left\|10 May 2023 {{WDL\|48\|26\|14\|8\|decimals=1}}
align=left\|Burton Albion \|align=left\|17 December 2024 \|align=left\|Present {{WDL\|27\|9\|8\|10\|decimals=1}}
colspan=3\|Total {{WDLtot\|431\|164\|140\|127\|decimals=1}}

class=wikitable style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan=2|Team

!rowspan=2|From

!rowspan=2|To

!colspan=5|Record

align=left|Blackburn Rovers (caretaker)

|align=left|27 December 2012

|align=left|11 January 2013

align=left|Blackburn Rovers (caretaker)

|align=left|19 March 2013

|align=left|24 May 2013