Tom Brady & Birmingham City board to begin search for FOURTH permanent manager in ten months after relegation to League One as Tony Mowbray steps down after surgery

The 60-year-old manager joined the Blues in January, replacing Wayne Rooney, and led the team to four victories in his first eight matches. However, Mowbray had to take a break from his duties in February for medical treatment on an unknown issue. During his absence, his assistant Mark Venus took over the reins temporarily before Gary Rowett was brought in on an interim basis until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

After the season ended, chief executive Garry Cook held discussions with Mowbray and his representatives about his future and it was decided that the manager would step down permanently. The frequent changes in leadership have not allowed for the development of a consistent playing style or strategy, contributing to the team’s poor performance and eventual relegation. Now, the Blues will have another new face in the dugout in their attempt to regain Championship status after slipping to the third tier.

In an official statement to Birmingham, Mowbray said: “As people will be aware, I am currently undertaking a period of extended convalescence following significant and unexpected surgery earlier in the year which required that I take a period of medical absence. Throughout this period, I have watched every Birmingham City game along with every training session, whilst I have remained in positive and constructive dialogue with Tom Wagner, Garry Cook and Craig Gardner.

“Over the very recent days, it has become apparent to me that I will not be fully fit to resume my duties as Manager of Birmingham City in the timescale that would allow the Club to best prepare for the forthcoming season and therefore, I have regrettably decided to step away from my role at this time. Once I have fully recovered, it is important to me that I then spend some quality time with my wife and my boys before I fully commit to work.

“I am extremely grateful to Tom Wagner for the genuine warmth that he has shown towards me during what has been a challenging time, not only for me personally but also for the Club. I firmly believe that under Tom’s stewardship coupled with the football expertise that Garry offers, Birmingham City have a very bright future ahead. I would like to thank everybody associated with the Club who has supported me during these unprecedented times, and I would like to especially thank the Birmingham City supporters for your affection, your kindness, and your support in the relatively short period of time I have been with the Club. Whilst I step down as Manager of Birmingham City, I now become a Blues fan and I wish everybody at the Club nothing but absolute success in the future.

“Once I have fully recovered and have spent some quality time with my family, I intend to make a return to football management at the appropriate moment. I hope that the privacy of my family and I will be respected at this time. Thank you for your ongoing support, Tony.”

The upcoming summer is poised to be crucial for Birmingham City. Minority owner Brady and the rest of the club's board have ambitious plans for a significant transformation, with a reported investment of £2 billion ($2.5 billion) slated for the club's redevelopment. However, before attending to the infrastructure, the board must find a new leader capable of steering the team through the rebuilding phase and ensuring a swift return to the Championship.