Birmingham City appoint former manager Gary Rowett for a short-term spell as interim head coach/consultant until Tony Mowbray returns.
John Percy reported on Tuesday morning that Gary Rowett was in talks with the Blues over short-term appointment as interim head coach/consultant.
“Former Blues manager set to be confirmed later today. Birmingham acting with club currently outside relegation zone on goal difference #bcfc”
Birmingham currently sit 21st in the Championship with 39 points from 38 games, level on points with Huddersfield, who are directly below them in 22nd based on goal difference.
Gary Rowett in talks with Birmingham City over short-term appointment as interim head coach/consultant. Former Blues manager set to be confirmed later today. Birmingham acting with club currently outside relegation zone on goal difference #bcfc
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) March 19, 2024
Birmingham City manager Tony Mowbray is currently off work for medical treatment, but his ‘presence is growing’ as they battle to avoid the drop. However, there is no date yet as to when the 60-year-old will return.
Mowbray so far missed the last six matches – five of which have ended in defeat – but has been in regular communication with assistant and long-time confidant Mark Venus and has also been speaking to Blues’ backroom team.
Mowbray – who Venus says is the team’s ‘leader, motivator and driver’ – has been sorely missed. Blues have slipped down the Championship table in his absence.
The Club can confirm that Manager, Tony Mowbray, will take a formal leave of absence until the start of pre-season 2024/25.
The Club has appointed Interim Manager, Gary Rowett, with immediate effect.
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) March 19, 2024
CLUB STATEMENT:
Birmingham City Football Club can confirm that Manager, Tony Mowbray, will take a formal medical leave of absence until the start of pre-season 2024/25.
The Club has appointed Interim Manager, Gary Rowett, with immediate effect for the remaining eight games of the Sky Bet Championship season. Rowett has significant managerial experience in the division and previously managed Birmingham from October 2014 to December 2016.
The decision was taken to act at the beginning of the international break by the Board and Leadership Team, in conjunction with Mowbray who played a role in the identification of Rowett as the right manager to take the team forward till the end of the season.
The medical leave of absence will allow Mowbray to focus 100% on being with his family and making a full recovery following his recent health challenges. Assistant Manager, Mark Venus, will also take a leave of absence with immediate effect and rejoin the Club at the same time as Mowbray. First Team Coaches, Ashley Cole and Peter Shuttleworth, and Goalkeeper Coach, Maik Taylor, will remain at the Club as part of Rowett’s coaching staff.
Birmingham City Co-Owner and Chairman of the Board, Tom Wagner, said: “The Board and Club Leadership fully support Tony’s decision to take time to focus on his health and his family. We continue to wish Tony and his family the very best. Based on Tony’s decision to take some additional time away, we agreed it is in the Club’s best interests to appoint Gary Rowett to lead the team forward from the touchline for the final eight games of the season. Gary is an experienced leader and has our full support.”
Chief Executive Officer, Garry Cook, said: “The team is in a challenging position. A strong leader is needed to guide the players through to the end of the season. Tony wanted to be part of the solution, so together we agreed to identify an interim manager. Gary Rowett was the number one choice. We are pleased to welcome Gary back to Blues. He has the necessary experience and the requisite passion for the Club and our loyal fans. Gary will be provided all the support needed to keep the Club in the Sky Bet Championship.”
He added: “We all look forward to welcoming Tony and Mark back to the Club before the start of next season and continue to wish Tony a speedy recovery.”
The 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough on Tuesday evening was alarming, and even more so after losing by the same scoreline to Watford on Saturday.
“As footballers or in any job, you have to take ownership of your responsibilities,” said Venus. “We spoke a lot about it through the season. There has to be an element of personal pride that when you go out there on that pitch, with your 20,000 fans behind you, you are giving everything and doing everything you can to win.
“These players have been working really hard. The last two performances have lacked quality, as we have said honestly to them.”
Mark Venus meanwhile couldn’t fault the commitment of his players following the loss to Watford on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking to BluesTV post-match: “We did everything we could to score but you give a soft goal away and you lose the game. I couldn’t protect the players on Tuesday, today I can protect them and they gave everything for the cause today.
“The players put everything out on the pitch today. Every player that went on the pitch today, the subs as well, everybody they gave everything. Their passion, their energy, their work rate was brilliant but again we came out on the wrong side of a result and we have to turn that around.
“Alex has got a small calf strain that he did in training.
“Lukas, he took a bang on the head and his knee sort of twisted a little bit. We are not sure about it, we are not sure whether it is a bad injury or just a bang on the knee, we will have to let it settle down. There is a bit of time between now and the next game to assess the injuries.”
This is how fans reacted as Birmingham appoint former manager Gary Rowett for a short-term spell as interim head coach/consultant…
@KroB91875: Sounds like Mowbray won’t be rushed back, the right decision as his health is paramount
@Ottovonidiot: Sensible decision to make but should have done it when Mowbray immediately went out instead of now
@_chancey_: Sensible decision
@BluesAnalytics_: Firstly, I hope Mowbray is okay and recovering well. Secondly, it shows how much of a car crash that this season has been that even though we’re about to get laughed at for being a circus (again), I don’t actually hate this decision just for a short term option. #bcfc
@almajir: The only plus for me is it’s not Warnock. Still though, sixth permanent / interim manager this season. Ffs.
@jackil3s: Think it has to be done, got to take the gamble to stay up, and then if we still go down we probably deserve too #BCFC #KRO
@delves1: Might be the most sensible solution to for parties involved, it isn’t the most ideal either but the last thing we need is TM rushing back and heaven forbid he collapses at training or a match because he isn’t fully recovered, but at the same time we need a manager figure in the dugout #KRO #BCFC
@almajir: The only plus for me is it’s not Warnock. Still though, sixth permanent / interim manager this season. Ffs.
@jackil3s: Think it has to be done, got to take the gamble to stay up, and then if we still go down we probably deserve too #BCFC #KRO
@Kieranbcfc2: Genuinely feel nothing about this. Probably ain’t good about Mowbray but if it helps us stay up then so be it. Vital that we get to the summer. Least Rowett knows the club. Utterly huge rebuild on the way but can’t happen in League 1. #bcfc
@LeModFootball: First thoughts are concern for Mowbray. I hope he’s going to be ok. Second thoughts are that I oddly feel more confident of staying up now than I did at 8am & in the circumstances it’s a safe bet. What a club though, seriously.
@ShaunPonsonby: Absolutely all for this. It’s sensible and would get the job done. THEN can begin building for next year in this division under Tony Mowbray. 🔵⚪️
@paul_caffrey: As long as he doesn’t tout himself to other jobs in the mean time.. 2 months of watching a villa fan in our dugout again 🤢
@lennonkian_: I’m happy with this , we needed someone to steady the ship short term #bcfc
@jackbcfc_: What a club
@Lexxx94: If it means Mowbray’s gone come the end of the season, no matter the outcome it’s a fuck up again
@CallumJones1904: 6th manager of the season, we are so back
@tomcoley: My football club is currently a circus.
@samturner1875: Couldn’t write this 😭
@matty_davis2505: 😂😂😂 never a dull day at Birmingham city #bcfc
@VillansOpinions: Knew they’d go running back to him eventually. Hope he half arses it and sends them down
@AdamT1875: Right choice, yes! But blimey it’s like an episode of dream team on sky one back in the day 🤣 #BCFC
@AplinJosh: If this is true, it’s the sensible decision. Venus would’ve sent us down, fact. Not his fault but he just can’t do it. The aim is staying in the league. Goals off the refs arse, I couldn’t give a fuck. Just stay in the league 😂
@dylanlatham13: People moaning he will get us back to basics horrible to play against and will keeps us up all that fucking matters
@Harry_BCFC: Jesus. Wow. Interesting. Not against it, we need something to change, esp if the club know TM won’t be back soon. #BCFC
@MJones1875: My only surprise is that this hasn’t happened sooner. Venus clearly has no desire to be a manager and is getting alot of unfair critisism although he’s been thrown in at the deep end. Players need to take responsibility too so hopefully having a proper manager figure will help.
@Cp1991P: If this decision is made its another shit show from Cook. It’s the right decision but way too late. Its not like Mowbray has a virus he’s trying to recover from. An Easter return would be the very best case scenario and even that was too long for us. 2 colossus mistakes #bcfc
@BrummieTom: Life really does come full circle #BCFC
@ChrisCOB_OB: Something needed to happen, not against it. We need a leader he knows the club and we should be harder to beat. Different board than before, clean slate and all that until the job is done and if we’re safe he’ll stand in better stead for a new job in the summer.
@BrownSlices: Jesus I hope Tony is ok
@jordanpomeroy00: I really hope Mowbray gets well soon but this has been an absolute disaster of a season for #BCFC
@7ukeharper: Dont know what to think anymore? But im sure gary will have a positive impact changes needed to be made from somewhere. I assume mowbray isnt due back this season then #bcfc
@1875__90: Rowett now? Hope it works, this really is a season to forget! #BCFC
@KELSEARAVENHILL: I actually think this is a sensible short term decision. Venus has said it himself, he can’t do what’s needed to keep us up
@BluesAnalytics_: For Rowett’s faults, he’ll come in and simplify/implement his style immediately, exactly like he did in his first term. 2 weeks before our next game. 1st manager this season that won’t have the brief of trying to get us to “play”. Direct, not pretty but hopefully effective. #bcfc
@SeanFerris1: Great move & fair play to Rowett for wanting to get us out the shit 🤝👏 Concerning though that Mowbray must not be doing to well
@LeeW1875: I mean… stability is key!! But what a turnaround!!
@JamesBcfcBeadle: Rowetts a sensible appointment. Not ideal, but not many better around for this kind of fight, especially only on an interim basis. Important that TM rests and we have a proper leader in the dugout. #BCFC
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