TONY MOWBRAY has stepped down as Birmingham manager after undergoing “significant and unexpected” surgery.
Mowbray, 60, only joined Brum in January following the dismissal of Wayne Rooney.
1
He took charge of eight games, winning four as the Midlanders tried to recover from Wazza’s dark spell.
But Mowbray shocked Birmingham bosses when, just a month after his arrival, he was forced to temporarily step down due to ill health.
He then took a formal medical leave of absence in March when Mark Venus intervened in six games.
Gary Rowett later returned to finish the season but was unable to prevent Brum from being relegated to League One.
Fans were left wondering whether Mowbray would return to help the club return to the Championship.
But Birmingham are now looking for their seventh manager in less than 12 months after Mowbray decided to step down to recover from surgery.
Owner and President Tom Wagner said, “We are disappointed that Tony will not return to lead the team, but we respect his decision to put his health and family first.
“In a short period of time at the Blues, Tony has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and a work ethic that has galvanized everyone around him. He is an exceptional human being and will always be welcome at St. Andrew’s.”
CEO Garry Cook added: “We look forward to Tony’s return to the Club and continuing the excellent work he started earlier this year. Unfortunately, it is not to be.
“Preparation for the new season has already begun and Tony told us that based on his treatment and recovery program he would not be able to do the necessary work before the start of the new season.
Tony Mowbray Managerial Statistics
These numbers in full:
- Ipswich Town (interim), October 2002: P4 W1 D1 L2
- Hibs, 2004-2006: P108 W52 D16 L40
- West Brom, 2006-2009: P140 W57 D32 51
- Celta, 2009-2010: 45V 23V 9E 13D
- Middlesbrough, 2010-2013: P153 W61 D37 L55
- Coventry, 2015-2016: P76 W26 D24 L26
- Blackburn, 2017-2022: P267 W108 D70 L89
- Sunderland, 2022-2023: P65 W26 D18 L21
- Birmingham January to February 2024: P8 W4 D1 D3
“Personally, I would like to commend Tony for informing us of his decision so soon after the end of the season. This gives us the opportunity to undertake a rigorous search process to identify the right leader to take our club forward and have that person in place. before the start of pre-season.
“On behalf of everyone at the Club and our fans, I would like to thank Tony for the excellent work he has done for the Blues. We wish Tony a full and speedy recovery.”
Mowbray also commented on his departure, thanking the club and fans for their support over recent months.
He said: “As people will know, I am currently undergoing a period of extended convalescence following significant and unexpected surgery earlier in the year, which required a period of medical absence.
“Throughout this period, I have attended every Birmingham City game and every training session, whilst maintaining positive and constructive dialogue with Tom Wagner, Garry Cook and Craig Gardner.
Birmingham managers this season
All six bosses (including three interim ones!)
- John Eustace, 23 August – 23 October: P11 W5 D3 D3
- Wayne Rooney, October 23 to January 24: 15V 2E 4E 9D
- Steve Spooner (interim), January 24: P1 W0 D1 L0
- Tony Mowbray, Jan 24-Feb 24: P8 W4 D1 D3
- Mark Venus (interim), Feb 24-March 24: P6 W0 D1 L5
- Gary Rowett (interim), 24 March – 24 May: P7 W2 D2 D3
“Over the last few days it has become apparent to me that I will not be fully able to resume my duties as manager of Birmingham City in the timeframe that would allow the club to better prepare for next season and I have therefore regrettably decided to step back from my role in this time.
“Once I am fully recovered, it is important for me to spend some quality time with my wife and children before fully committing to work.
“I am extremely grateful to Tom Wagner for the genuine care he has shown me during a challenging period, not just for me personally but also for the Club.
“I firmly believe that under Tom’s leadership, together with the football experience that Garry offers, Birmingham City will have a very bright future ahead of them.
“I would like to thank everyone associated with the Club who has supported me during these unprecedented times, and I would especially like to thank the Birmingham City fans for their love, their kindness and their support in the relatively short period of time I have had. was at the Club.
“Despite stepping down as manager of Birmingham City, I have now become a Blues fan and wish everyone at the club nothing but absolute success in the future.
“Once I have fully recovered and have spent some quality time with my family, I intend to return to football management at the appropriate time. I hope that my and my family’s privacy is respected at this time. Thank you for your continued support, Tony.”
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