Gary Rowett becomes Birmingham's FOURTH manager of 2023-24 season as Tony Mowbray takes medical leave of absence just two months after being drafted in to replace Wayne Rooney by Tom Brady & Co

Mowbray has been unable to perform his duties as Blues boss since he left the club in mid-February to receive treatment for an unnamed illness. He is set to return at the start of the 2024-25 campaign, leaving a gap to be filled until that point. Birmingham announced on Tuesday that the interim role had been taken by Rowett, who returns to the club after eight years away.

Birmingham co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner wrote in a statement: "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."

Rowett's return to the west Midlands marks an incredible fourth manager to take charge of Birmingham in the current campaign. John Eustace was sacked after just 11 games despite taking his side to sixth in the Championship after a bright start. Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney was promptly drafted in but enjoyed a torrid spell, and was relieved of his duties in January after nine losses in 15 games dragged Birmingham into 20th place. Former Sunderland boss Mowbray was hired shortly after, but an unforeseen medical situation has prompted yet another change in the dugout.

Mowbray has made a lightning start to his Birmingham career, averaging 1.64 points per game from his eight in charge. That places him top of the Blues' most successful managers this century, but Rowett isn't far behind. The former Millwall boss averaged 1.49 points per game across the 106 during his two-year spell at St Andrews between 2014 and 2016.

Co-owner Tom Brady and the Blues board will hope Rowett's appointment doesn't stunt the progress made under Mowbray, as they continue to pay the price for Rooney's disastrous appointment. Birmingham currently sit 21st in the Championship, outside the relegation zone solely on goal difference, and face 20th-placed QPR in their next match on March 29.