Birmingham City have announced the appointment of Tony Mowbray as their new manager following Wayne Rooney’s departure last week.
The Blues decided to pull the trigger on the Wayne Rooney experiment after just 15 games in the hot seat.
Rooney won just two of his 15 games in charge of Birmingham and was given his marching orders after less than three months in the job.
Birmingham have wasted no time in finding a replacement, confirming the arrival of Tony Mowbray just six days on from Rooney’s departure.
HITC Football sources indicated last week that Mowbray was emerging as a frontrunner for the job and he has now had his move confirmed today.
Tony Mowbray reacts to Birmingham City move
Mowbray has only been out of work for just over a month having been sacked by Sunderland in December.
The 60-year-old is a proven Championship boss and a safe pair of hands for Birmingham after the Rooney gamble didn’t really pay off.
Mowbray, who took Sunderland into the Championship playoffs last season, has now offered his first words on his move whilst speaking to the Birmingham official website.
The former West Bromwich Albion boss noted that he is ‘excited’ to be making the move to Birmingham and can’t wait to work with a talented squad.
Mowbray added that he wants to give Birmingham fans a team to be proud of having witness their passionate fanbase over the years.
“I am excited to be joining Birmingham City at this time,” said Mowbray. “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.”
“Tom Wagner and 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,” he added.
Craig Gardner key to Mowbray deal
HITC Football understands that Craig Gardner – Birmingham’s technical director – played a major role in going for Mowbray.
Gardner’s own future was questioned but the Birmingham owners are backing him moving forward.
Gardner has no doubt witness Mowbray’s Championship work over the years at Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland.
The Birmingham hierarchy took a risk by going for Rooney but Gardner has now seemingly convinced them to go for Mowbray.
Gardner’s future may now be tied to the success of Mowbray, who will look to make a fast start as Blues boss against Swansea City this weekend.
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