'Phenomenal' - Ex-Blackpool FC and Blackburn Rovers boss shares why recent season tops past achievement

Former Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer was able to enjoy another successful season in League One with Burton Albion.

The 54-year-old was in charge at Bloomfield Road between 2016 and 2018, and also has the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Bradford City on his CV.

On the back of winning the Scottish Championship with Dundee in 2023, the ex-Seasiders figure spent a period out of work, before taking over at the Pirelli Stadium in December 2024.

At that time, the Brewers found themselves in a difficult position at the bottom end of the third tier, with nine points between them and safety.

Bowyer was able to turn things around for the Staffordshire outfit - who were involved in a great escape to avoid the drop.

While the threat level wasn’t as high in the most recent campaign, Burton were once again able to keep themselves out of the bottom four, and ultimately finished five points clear of the relegation zone.

“The bigger story was when we first went in and kept them up,” Bowyer said.

“We went in around Christmas time, and I think they’d only won one game, so to keep them up with a game to spare was nothing short of a miracle.

“Because of how far we came behind, it was a bigger story, whereas I think this season is a bigger achievement.

“If you look at the resources of the teams in this league compared to our own resources and the lack of strength in depth, for us to compete and retain our status with a game to go is phenomenal.

“I feel for the players and the club a little bit, because it’s the narrative of Burton - ‘oh they’ve stayed up again.’

“It gets brushed under the carpet a little bit, but it's phenomenal what this club has done this season.

“Ironically I think we would’ve been better than what we were if it wasn’t for (Fraser) Horsfall’s challenge on Charlie Webster (in November), because he needed an operation and was out for four months.

“It’s no coincidence on his return, we ended the season six unbeaten. For someone with our squad depth to miss a player like him, we couldn’t replace that quality he possesses.

“He ended up getting eight goals, and he missed four months - which for a midfielder is a fabulous return.

“We had a difficult January because there was interest in some of our players, so we’ve just got to recruit as well as we can and keep hold of our better ones where possible.

“The reality is, we know we’re going to lose some of them because that’s just the market.”

Following his extended period out of management, Bowyer is pleased to be back in the mix, and everything that comes day-to-day with the role.

“I’m 18 months in now, the enjoyment has well and truly gone,” he joked.

“It’s a brilliant job, it’s got its challenges, but I love working with the players, developing them, and seeing them better themselves.

“I love competing and going against the bigger boys with the bigger budgets, pulling off some shocks - which we have done this season.”

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