Birmingham City manager Tony Mowbray will temporarily step away from his role at the Championship outfit.
Birmingham City, who are battling it out for relegation in the Championship with QPR and Millwall, was shocked to learn today that manager Tony Mowbray will be temporarily leaving his position due to a serious illness.
At a private meeting held at the Blues’ training site in Henley-in-Arden on Monday morning, the team’s manager gave the players and staff the news. The announcement coincides with a turbulent season for Birmingham City, who under Mowbray had improved despite having already fired Wayne Rooney and John Eustace during the campaign.
In the Championship, the Midlands team is ranked 15th, six points ahead of the Rs in 22nd place and five ahead of the Lions in 21st. The team was in the play-off spots when Eustace was fired in October, but the reason given was a “misalignment with leadership.”
After falling all the way to the bottom of the standings, Mowbray led his team to victories over Blackburn Rovers 1-0 in midweek and Sunderland 2-1 on Saturday. Birmingham City will visit QPR on March 29 and Millwall on March 9.
Although Mowbray’s prognosis is unknown, the team has stated that he will miss six to eight weeks of activity. It is unlikely that the seasoned player will return to the dugout before the season ends on May 4.
Mowbray said: “Following my recent LMA Health Assessment I have received a medical diagnosis that will require me to receive treatment. Undergoing treatment will necessitate that I temporarily step away from the Technical Area as Manager of Birmingham City Football Club. Until I return, my Assistant Manager, Mark Venus, will take temporary charge of the team, supported by coaches Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth and Maik Taylor. I will continue to provide advice and counsel while undergoing treatment.
Garry Cook, chief executive officer of Birmingham City, stated: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Tony, his wife Amber, and their family.” We wish Tony a quick recovery and are excited to have him back at the Club to carry on the fantastic job he has started. Pete Shuttleworth, Ashley Cole, Mark Venus, and Maik Taylor will get all the assistance they require to guide the Club ahead in the interim.
The next game for Birmingham City is on March 2 at St Andrew’s against the highly competitive Southampton, followed by a match on March 5 at the MKM Stadium against Hull City.
