BURTON Albion chairman Ben Robinson thanked Gary Rowett for his contribution after the confirmation that the manager is joining Birmingham City.
Rowett is taking his backroom team, Kevin Summerfield, Kevin Poole and Mark Sale with him.
Robinson said: "After the success Gary has achieved at Burton Albion over the last three years it was inevitable that there would be interest from other clubs.
"Gary is an ambitious young manager and the offer from one of his former clubs playing Championship football was one he wanted to take.
"We wish him well and thank Gary and his coaching team for what they have done for the club."
Rowett initially took over as Burton Albion manager on a caretaker basis in March 2012 and was appointed permanently in May 2012. He helped the club achieve two consecutive League Two play offs, reaching the final at Wembley last season. He leaves the club challenging for promotion again.
Burton's Academy manager, Mike Whitlow, who played in the Football League as a defender for Leeds United, Leicester City, Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United and Notts County, before retiring in 2007, will take charge of first team affairs for Saturday's home game with Plymouth Argyle.
"We will start the search for Gary's successor immediately and know we will attract a lot of high calibre applicants for what is a very attractive job," added Robinson.
