Ex-Dundee boss Bowyer named Burton head coach

Gary Bowyer previously worked at Burton's near neighbours Derby County as both a youth and development team coach

Former Blackburn Rovers and Dundee manager Gary Bowyer has been appointed head coach of League One strugglers Burton Albion.

The 53-year-old has been out of management since guiding Dundee to promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2023.

His exit came as a shock, having been named Championship manager of the season after his side sealed the second-tier title just days earlier.

The former Salford and Bradford manager now returns to the third tier of English football - a division he previously worked in as Blackpool boss after guiding them to promotion from League Two in 2017.

Bowyer takes the helm of a Brewers side that are just one place and one point off rock bottom after 19 games.

"We know there is a lot of work to do right now but I am excited by this challenge," Bowyer told the club website.

He is the second permanent managerial appointment made by the Nordic Football Group since they bought the club from long-time owner Ben Robinson six months ago.

Mark Robinson was the handpicked choice to oversee the football revolution at Pirelli Stadium, leaving his post as development squad manager at Chelsea to take the helm of a Burton side that has spent recent years fighting to avoid relegation from League One.

He lasted just 14 games - becoming the club's shortest-serving boss when sacked on 23 October.

Tom Hounsell, who left Fulham's academy in the summer to move to Burton as Robinson's assistant, has spent almost as long in caretaker charge of the side - overseeing 12 games in the past eight weeks.

While Bowyer brings vast experience with him to the Burton job, he also has a grounding in youth development - having worked with youth and under-23 sides at Derby County - that fits with the way the Scandinavian owners have reimagined the club.

An almost entirely new squad was built after their summer arrival, with 23 players signed and 24 moved off their books from the end of last season.

The focus of their recruitment was youth and potential.

"This role has great appeal to me and I am excited at the prospect of what can be achieved here alongside ambitious owners in Nordic Football Group," Bowyer added.

Bowyer ticks the boxes - analysis

Dominic Dietrich, BBC Radio Derby senior sports journalist

Gary Bowyer is a shrewd appointment by Burton Albion. Not only is he someone that has brought success in terms of two promotions, he's shown his ability to blend a club and a dressing room together with his personable approach. One thing's for sure - those players will know exactly what they're fighting for under his leadership in a relegation battle.

His experience isn't just at first-team level which will benefit this young group at Burton. He's known down the A38 at Derby County for being a key component in their academy system over two spells with the Rams, bringing through players like Tom Huddlestone in his first spell, and in his second spell working with the likes of Eiran Cashin.

His step back into men's football since then has been a fruitful one, stabilising a precarious situation at Salford City and taking them close to the play-offs twice before being dismissed, then winning the Scottish Championship in style with Dundee back in 2023.

Experience, know-how and a track record is what Burton Albion need and Bowyer is a man that ticks all three of those boxes.