Tony Mowbray Steps Down as Birmingham City Manager
Mowbray’s Short but Impactful Tenure
Tony Mowbray joined Birmingham City in January and quickly made a positive impact. He led the team to four victories in eight matches, including impressive back-to-back wins in the Sky Bet Championship against his former teams, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland. Additionally, Mowbray guided the team to progress in the Emirates FA Cup.
Statements from Birmingham City Leadership
Tom Wagner, Birmingham City Owner and Chairman of the Board:
“We are disappointed that Tony will not be coming back to lead the team forward but respect his decision to put his health and his family first. In a short period of time at Blues, Tony demonstrated excellent leadership skills and a work ethic that galvanized all around him. He is an outstanding human being and will always be welcome at St. Andrew’s at Knighthead Park.”
Garry Cook, Birmingham City Chief Executive Officer:
“We have been looking forward to Tony returning to the Club and continuing the great work that 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 job that is required before the new season begins.
I would personally like to commend Tony for informing us of his decision so soon after the end of the season. It provides 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 supporters, I would like to thank Tony for the excellent job that he did for the Blues. We wish Tony a full and speedy recovery.”
Tony Mowbray’s Statement
“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, and I have remained in positive and constructive dialogue with Tom Wagner, Garry Cook, and Craig Gardner.
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 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, 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 their affection, their kindness, and their support in the relatively short period of time I have been with the club.
While 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. 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.”
Moving Forward
With Mowbray stepping down, Birmingham City now faces the task of finding a new manager. The club has already begun, preparations for the new season, and the search for Mowbray’s successor will be thorough and strategic to ensure the right fit for the team’s future.
Birmingham City’s leadership remains optimistic about the future, confident in the foundation Mowbray helped establish during his short tenure. The club will continue to build on this groundwork as they seek to find a manager who can lead the team forward and capitalize on the progress made under Mowbray’s guidance.