03 January 2024 , 21:47
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Tony Mowbray and Gary Rowett are the early frontrunners to replace Wayne Rooney at Birmingham City.
The pair are both high on the shortlist to succeed the former Manchester United striker who was axed on New Year’s Day. Mowbray has been spoken to by the decision-makers at the St Andrew’s club who are looking for their third manager so far this season after sacked in early October.
The ex- West Brom and Blackburn boss has been on the wanted list of several clubs already since his surprising exit from Sunderland last month. So far, he has resisted them all but a call to spearhead a project to lift Brum from the doldrums might attract him.
Mowbray’s natural instinct is to play a passing game and that will appeal strongly to Birmingham’s owners who demanded a change in style following John Eustace’s exit. Meanwhile Rowett, who was released by Millwall, is now vastly experienced himself at Championship level.
He arrived in the division with Birmingham ten years ago, picking up the pieces after Lee Clark was kicked out of the club. Ironically, he himself was relieved of his duties as the club chased a more progressive brand of football under Gianfranco Zola.
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Rowett will be viewed as a safe pair of hands with Birmingham’s Championship status under threat after four seasons of sterling work at Millwall. Rooney turned out to be anything but, although the ex- England captain was disappointed not to be given more time at St Andrew’s.
"I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC and the support they all gave me during my short period with the club. Football is a results business – and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be," he said in a statement.
Gary Rowett was sacked by Birmingham City in 2016 (2016 Getty Images)
Tony Mowbray recently lost his job at Sunderland (Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)Your turn! Who should Birmingham City appoint as their next manager? Join the debate in the comments section.
"However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed. Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16.
"Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager. Finally, I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners my best wishes in the pursuit of their ambitions."