Gary Rowett has ended speculation linking him with the vacant Stoke City job by penning a new three-and-a-half year deal with Derby County.
The 43-year-old took over the Rams last March and has guided Derby to second in the Championship table.
Stoke had considered approaching Rowett as a successor for Mark Hughes at the Bet365 Stadium, with Derby acting accordingly to tie him down to a new deal.
“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,” a statement read on the club’s official website.
“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.”
On his new deal, Rowett said: “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.”
