Forest Green Rovers have officially appointed Mark Bowen as their new director of football, bringing extensive experience from his 40-year career as a player, coach, manager, and sporting director.
Bowen’s recent role was head of football operations at League One club Reading, where he played a crucial part in assembling a young squad that narrowly missed promotion last season under challenging conditions. His playing career included stints in the Premier League with Norwich City, West Ham United, Charlton Athletic, and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as time in the EFL with Wigan Athletic and Reading. Notably, he also gained international experience playing in Japan for Shimizu S-Pulse.
Internationally, Bowen earned 41 caps for Wales from 1986 to 1997, scoring three goals. After retiring in 1999, he transitioned into coaching and management, working alongside former teammate Mark Hughes at several clubs, including Wales, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City, and Southampton. He also worked with Steve Bruce at Crystal Palace and Birmingham City.
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In 2019, Bowen returned to Reading as sporting director and later became manager, improving the club’s standing from 23rd to 14th in the Championship. After leaving Reading in 2021 and a brief managerial spell at AFC Wimbledon in 2022, where he oversaw a struggling side until relegation, Bowen returned once more to Reading as head of football operations before departing in September 2024.
In 2024, Bowen faced an FA investigation over betting rule breaches related to 95 bets placed on football matches between April 2022 and January 2024. He admitted the charges, resulting in a 12-week suspension with 8 weeks suspended, a £7,000 fine, and the closure of the case later that year.
Forest Green Rovers finished third in the National League in the previous season but were eliminated in the play-off semi-finals on penalties against Southend United. Bowen is now tasked with guiding the club as they push for promotion and build a strong future.