Tony Mowbray breaks silence on Birmingham City exit with emotional statement

Blues confirmed Mowbray’s decision on Tuesday morning, putting an end to the 60-year-old’s short stint at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park. The former Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers boss took an initial two-month period of leave in February to focus on his health, before extending that further.

Now, a couple of months into his recovery from a surgical procedure, Mowbray has made the difficult decision to step down from Blues entirely. Blues are thankful for Mowbray’s selfless thinking in alerting the club so quickly, so a search for a new manager can commence shortly.

Mowbray, via Birmingham’s official statement, 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.”