January 8 – Birmingham City have unveiled former Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray as Wayne Rooney’s replacement as the Blues look to get their season back on track.
Mowbray (pictured) has signed a two-and-a-half year deal just six days after Rooney’s sacking. He was made available after being sacked by Championship rivals Sunderland on the December 4.
Mowbray is the team’s third manager this season following the contentious departure of John Eustace in October, a move made when Blues held the sixth position in the table.
However, since Eustace’s exit, Birmingham, under new US ownership, have plummeted to 20th in the Championship, currently holding a precarious six-point lead over the relegation zone.
“Tony was the standout candidate in our search for a new manager,” Blues co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner said. “His knowledge of and passion for the game shone through.
“He shares our ambition and will bring stability at an important time for our great club. We received extremely positive feedback from everyone we spoke to about Tony.”
“He is the right leader at the right time for our club,” chief executive Garry Cook added. “He knows what it takes to be successful at this level.
Under the guidance of interim coach Steve Spooner, Birmingham City ended up with a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup third round against Hull City last Saturday. Despite their efforts, a morale-boosting win slipped away as Hull City managed to net an 87th-minute equaliser.
Mowbray, who will have long-time assistant Mark Venus beside him, now starts with two home games.
The first is against 16th-placed Swansea next Saturday afternoon as the Blues look to turn around their season, with the FA Cup replay versus Hull City just three days later on Tuesday night.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1714390888labto1714390888ofdlr1714390888owedi1714390888sni@g1714390888niwe.1714390888yrrah1714390888