Tony Mowbray ‘regrettably’ steps down as Birmingham City boss due to health reasons
Tony Mowbray has stepped down from his position as Birmingham City manager with immediate effect.
The 60-year-old manager took the job at St Andrew's back in January but stepped away from his on-site management duties in February.
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In March, he then went on formal medical leave with Gary Rowett replacing him on a caretaker basis.
In that time, Birmingham suffered relegation to League One where they will play their football next term.
Explaining his decision, Mowbray said: “As people will be aware, I am currently undertaking a period of extended convalescence following significant and unexpected surgery earlier in the year which required that I take a period of medical absence.
“Throughout this period, I have watched every Birmingham City game along with every training session, whilst I have remained in positive and constructive dialogue with Tom Wagner, Garry Cook and Craig Gardner.
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“Over the very recent days it has become apparent to me that I will not be fully fit to resume my duties as Manager of Birmingham City in the timescale that would allow the Club to best prepare for the forthcoming season and therefore, I have regrettably decided to step away from my role at this time.
“Once I have fully recovered, it is important to me that I then spend some quality time with my wife and my boys before I fully commit to work.
“I am extremely grateful to Tom Wagner for the genuine warmth that he has shown towards me during what has been a challenging time, not only for me personally but also for the Club. I firmly believe that under Tom’s stewardship coupled with the football expertise that Garry offers, that Birmingham City have a very bright future ahead.
“I would like to thank everybody associated with the Club who has supported me during these unprecedented times, and I would like to especially thank the Birmingham City supporters for your affection, your kindness, and your support in the relatively short period of time I have been with the Club. Whilst I step down as Manager of Birmingham City, I now become a Blues fan and I wish everybody at the Club nothing but absolute success in the future.
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“Once I have fully recovered and have spent some quality time with my family, I intend to make a return to football management at the appropriate moment. I hope that the privacy of my family and I will be respected at this time. Thank you for your ongoing support, Tony.”
Mowbray is one of the most well-respected managers in the EFL having led clubs including West Brom, Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Sunderland.
Birmingham fans go wild as one spectator scores a screamer during their relegation pitch invasion at St. Andrew's
He left his position at the Stadium Of Light in December 2023 before being replaced by Michael Beale.
But Mowbray was out of work for just one month before taking charge of the Blues after Rooney won just twice in 15 games in charge.
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