19 February 2024 , 12:07
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Birmingham City have confirmed that Mark Venus will step up into the job of interim manager after Tony Mowbray stepped down to receive treatment for an illness.
Mowbray announced his temporary exit on Monday, speaking to his stunned staff and players at the club's training ground. The bombshell comes less than six weeks after the veteran boss agreed to replace Wayne Rooney following his disastrous spell in charge.
Since Rooney's exit, Mowbray has turned Blues around, taking ten points from his six matches in charge so far. That has helped the Midlands side to escape any danger of the drop zone, though their hopes of a successful campaign have been hit by Mowbray now stepping down.
The Englishman will miss at least the next six to eight weeks, though Mirror Football understands it is unlikely he will be back before the end of the season. In his place, long-time assistant Venus will step up.
Venus has worked under Mowbray at almost every club he has taken charge of and followed him to Birmingham. And Mowbray has full confidence that Venus can continue Blues' good run of form, though he will remain a sounding board.
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“Following my recent LMA Health Assessment I have received a medical diagnosis that will require me to receive treatment. Undergoing treatment will necessitate that I temporarily step away from the Technical Area as Manager of Birmingham City Football Club," he said.
"Until I return, my Assistant Manager, Mark Venus, will take temporary charge of the team, supported by coaches Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth and Maik Taylor. I will continue to provide advice and counsel while undergoing treatment.
Mowbray's assistant boss Mark Venus will step up to replace him (Getty Images)“The Club has been incredibly supportive of me and my family and we are very grateful. I know that everyone will be respectful of our privacy at this time.”
Venus will also receive support from the boardroom, with chief executive Garry Cook also sending his best wishes to Mowbray. Cook has backed the manager's backroom team to keep the club on track in his absence.
“Our thoughts are with Tony, his wife Amber, and family. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming Tony back to the Club to continue the excellent work that he has started," he said.
"In the meantime, Mark Venus, Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth and Maik Taylor, will be given all the support they need to lead the Club forward.”
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