Birmingham City confirmed their reunion with a familiar face on Tuesday night.
The Blues have been without current manager Tony Mowbray for their last six games. The 60-year-old is currently absent for medical reasons.
Now, the club have moved to bring in a temporary replacement for their manager, until the end of the campaign.
It was announced on Tuesday that Mowbray will take medical leave until the start of pre-season for the 2024/25 campaign.
In his place, Gary Rowett has returned to Birmingham City as interim manager until the end of the campaign.
The 50-year-old is of course no stanger to the club, having previously spent more than two years in charge at St Andrew’s.
Gary Rowett’s last Birmingham City spell assessed
After playing for the club between 1998 and 2000, Rowett was first appointed as Blues manager in October 2014.
The former defender replaced Lee Clark in the role, and left his post at Burton Albion to take charge at St Andrew’s.
When Rowett was appointed Birmingham City manager, the club sat 23rd in the Championship table. They were two points from safety, and had just lost 8-0 at home to Bournemouth.
However, the club were galvanised under Rowett, who took them well clear of the drop zone. Eventually, they finished the 2014/15 season 10th in the table 15 points adrift of the play-offs.
Rowett’s first full season in charge, the 2015/16 campaign showed some signs of progress. Birmingham City again finished the season in 10th, although this time, they were just 11 points adrift of the top six.
However, the former defender’s time in charge at St Andrew’s would then come to an end in December 2016.
Despite the club sitting 7th in the table, only outside the play-offs on goal difference, Rowett was sacked the day after a 2-1 win over Ipswich Town.
In his place, Gianfrance Zola was named as Birmingham City manager. It was a move that backfired badly.
Zola resigned just over four months later. He had won just two of his 24 games in charge, and left the club 20th in the Championship table, just three points clear of the bottom three.
In the process, that did seem to highlight the quality of job that Rowett had been doing at St Andrew’s.
Blues hoping for more of the same from Gary Rowett
Those connected with Birmingham City will be desperate for Rowett to do a similar job to the last time he was appointed at St Andrew’s.
Blues have taken just one point from the six games they have played since Mowbray stepped back from his role as manager.
That run means they have dropped to 21st in the Championship table. They are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Birmingham City therefore need Rowett to make an immediate impact on his return to the club, to guide them to safety.
The 50-year-old has vast experience at this level. During that time, he has often made his teams difficult to beat, while keeping them well clear of the bottom three.
Add in the fact he is already familiar with Birmingham City, and this could prove to be a smart appointment by the Blues.