Gary Bowyer got a text from a familiar number as soon as he got the job at Dundee.
Sky pundit Gary Neville was among the first to congratulate Bowyer just a month after sacking him as Salford City boss. Former Blackpool and Blackburn boss Bowyer, 51, says his new job at Dens Park has helped “re-energise” him after admitting he felt hard done by after losing his job at Salford.
Bowyer’s No1 priority at Dundee is promotion back to the Premiership and his track record and reputation mean that he has already impressed and raised expectations since arriving in Scotland.
But there are no hard feelings even against Neville who has gained a reputation for being more brutal with his own managers at Salford than when resolutely defending managers when on TV.
Bowyer said: “As soon as I got the job, I got a text from him. Karen Baird the chair as well. Wishing me all the best. That’s a great touch and I have no hard feelings about them. The owners are obliged to do it however they see fit but credit to Gary Neville, he sat down face-to-face with me, explained why they were making the change.
“Whether you are or don’t agree, it’s football and you get on with it. He wished me all the best and was straight back in touch when I got this job. I have nothing but good things to say about them. Because of the success they’ve had in their careers, they want more success now. The job he does on Sky, him and Jamie Carragher, they’re a class act and they’ve made that their own.”
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Bowyer, son of Nottingham Forest legend Ian, had five years at the City Ground and knows all too well about local rivalries particularly Dundee being so close to Dundee United. He has embraced the challenge and it has given him a new lease of life. Dundee kick off against fellow promotion hopefuls Partick Thistle on Saturday but he is full of praise for the set-up at his new club which includes ex-Scotland boss Gordon Strachan who is technical director.
“I’m used to being Forest and then Notts County over the river, but it’s even closer just being over the road!” he laughed. “It’s been great, the people have been brilliant and I already love living up here. This has re-energised me. I didn’t feel I needed it but it’s new and different. It’s taken me out of my comfort zone. I’m really looking forward to the challenge now. Amazing scenery, even as you drive up here. It’s a wonderful area. Good players, keen to learn and they’ve been like sponges wanting to absorb everything.
“The goal is to get promoted and take yourself and test yourself against the likes of Celtic and Rangers but we can’t lose sight of the first target which is promotion. We’ve got a bit of history of being a yo-yo club and myself and my assistant Billy Barr want to get back up and stay there.”
