Tony Mowbray stepping away from Birmingham City role due to serious illness

Birmingham City have been left reeling by the news that manager Tony Mowbray is stepping down temporarily due to a serious illness.

The club’s boss spoke to stunned players and staff on Monday morning at a private meeting at its Henley-in-Arden training base. Mowbray wanted to tell his colleagues before training in the latest episode in a chaotic campaign for the Championship club.

The prognosis is unknown but the club is only confirming that the 60-year-old Teessider will be out of action for between six to eight weeks. However, the reality is that Mowbray is unlikely to make an appearance before the end of the campaign which finishes on May 4.

It is understood that the club’s manager will be standing down with immediate effect as he will start treatment this week. The bombshell news comes just six weeks after Mowbray accepted the position following the disastrous reign of Wayne Rooney.

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.

“The club has been incredibly supportive of me and my family and we are very grateful. I know that everyone will be respectful of our privacy at this time.”

Birmingham City Chief Executive Officer, Garry Cook, added: “Our thoughts are with Tony, his wife Amber, and family. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming Tony back to the club to continue the excellent work that he has started.”

Mowbray has made an immediate impact in lifting the gloom that had descended following a horrific run since John Eustace’s departure in October, a time during which the club won just two of 15 games and plummeted towards the drop zone.

Since replacing Rooney, he has picked up 10 points from his six matches in charge so far and back-to-back home victories in the last week over Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland lifted Brum clear of danger.

Assistant manager Mark Venus will step into the hot seat in Mowbray’s absence. However, with the role being such a key one at the football club, the employment of an interim boss cannot be discounted.

The two candidates who will be on the shortlist would include former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper, who has been out of work since being relieved of his duties at the City Ground.

Alternatively, there will be calls for ex-Brum midfielder Lee Carsley, who won the European Championship with England’s Under-21s to combine his duties at St George’s Park with those at St Andrew’s for the next few months.

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