08 January 2024 , 09:01
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Tony Mowbray has been confirmed as Birmingham City’s new manager, succeeding Wayne Rooney in the role.
The 60-year-old steps into the position vacated by Rooney with a two-and-a-half year deal now finalised. Mowbray takes the reins at St Andrew’s just five weeks after his surprise departure from Sunderland with the brief to preserve his new club’s status in the second tier.
Rooney’s reign in charge yielded just two victories in 15 attempts - seeing Brum drop from sixth in the table when John Eustace was relieved of his position - to 20th. The club now lies just six points ahead of the drop zone and with Sheffield Wednesday - occupying the last relegation place in the table - now making strides to drive themselves out of trouble. The decision-makers at St Andrew’s decided to bring down the axe on the former Manchester United and England great following a limp 3-0 defeat at Leeds.
Mowbray brings a wealth of experience to the job - with the majority of it at Championship level. He most recently spent time on Wearside and five seasons before that at Blackburn Rovers, pushing them to within touching distance of the play-offs, has persuaded new owners Knighthead to invest in him.
The American investment house has a clear objective - to play progressive football - and Mowbray will now need to buy into that philosophy as it has been a trademark of his ever since he entered management at Hibernian. Birmingham do have current issues with the profit and sustainability levels - problems that could cause only minimal outlay during the January transfer window.
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But with an offer on the table from Atalanta for midfielder Jordan James, there is a dilemma as to whether to cash in on the 19-year-old during the next four weeks to bolster their own options. Mowbray’s arrival has now been officially confirmed and he is expected at the club’s base in Henley-in-Arden to take training from Tuesday.
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Tony Mowbray is poised to take over from Wayne Rooney (Joe Toth/REX/Shutterstock)“I am excited to be joining Birmingham City at this time," Mowbray said after taking the reins. "I can’t wait to get back on the training pitch and start working with this talented group of players.
"My focus is on building their confidence, delivering results, and giving Blues’ fans a team they can be excited by and proud of. I know from personal experience how passionate Bluenoses are, home and away, and I’m looking forward to having their full support for the team starting on Saturday at home to Swansea City.
“[Chairman] Tom Wagner and [CEO] Garry Cook have outlined the ambition for the Club. I can’t wait to get started and play my role in helping to make it a reality.”