Former Birmingham City and West Brom boss on shortlist to take Cardiff City job

Former Birmingham City manager Tony Mowbray is under consideration for a managerial job in the Championship.

According to The Mirror, Mowbray has been 'sounded out' over a return to management with the Bluebirds. Cardiff parted company with Erol Bulut a fortnight ago, and have been drawing up a list of options to replace the former Fenerbahce boss.

A list of targets have been drawn up, and Mowbray appears to be one of the contenders for the role. He along with Charlton Athletic's Nathan Jones are the two of four names mentioned for the job. Steven Schumacher who was recently axed by Stoke City and Alex Neil who hasn’t been in work since his sacking at Stoke City are also said to be ‘interested’ in the job.

Cardiff currently sit bottom of the Championship, and have been there since the second week of the season. They drew 1-1 with Bristol City in the Severnside Derby leading in to the international break, and with their next game against Plymouth Argyle almost a fortnight away, a managerial decision could be made soon.

Mowbray stood down from his role as Birmingham manager in May, after taking a period of absence from February onwards. His assistant Steve Spooner took charge of the team, before Gary Rowett oversaw the end of season run in.

Despite his time at the club being brief, Mowbray is highly thought of among Birmingham City supporters, and everyone associated with the club sent them their best wishes whilst he recovered at home.

Mowbray has had an extensive managerial career which has spanned for 20-years. He was at Hibs for two years, before West Brom appointed him, and he guided them to promotion in 2008. His other teams include Middlesbrough, Coventry City, Blackburn Rovers, and Sunderland.

At the start of September, Mowbray was in attendance at the 2-1 win against Wigan Athletic. He had been visiting several of his former clubs, and witnessed Blues win late on against the Latics, with Scott Wright scoring the winner.

Speaking to Blues at the start of September, Mowbray said: "I'm great. I don't think I'm overplaying it. I feel almost back to normal. Energy levels, I feel back to normal, I can tell because sometimes I'm a self-talker, shut up, you talk too much. I feel good.

“The football world have been amazing to be honest. The feedback I've had and the get well messages from all over the country really has been amazing.

“I felt a real swell of love and care really, and concern about my health. The club did send me lots of messages that had come through, and just to sit there on my sofa feeling ill but reading the caring notes from people, humbling is the right word.

“Every football club I've ever been at has been supportive. They've all invited me to come and watch some games.

He added: “I feel as if I'm almost ready to go back to work sometime soon in the next few months.

“I appreciate I'm still a bit weak and to be a football manager you need energy you need to be at it all the time. I need to give myself a few months, probably walking and playing golf 18 holes, and stuff.

“I hope to get back to work and do what makes me tick. Around young footballers, trying to build teams and try to educate and show. I think football management today is about empathy with players.

“Let them understand we're all on the same side, that the fans want what they want and I want what they want and try and help them become better players and win football matches.