Former Birmingham City and Celtic boss now front-runner for vacant Championship job

Former Birmingham City manager Tony Mowbray has emerged as the new front-runner for the vacant Cardiff City job.

It's been over three weeks since the Bluebirds parted company with Erol Bulut, but they are still no closer to appointing his successor. Former Arsenal youth striker Omer Riza has managed the team on an interim basis and is expected to take charge against Plymouth Argyle at the weekend.

According to WalesOnline,, BetVictor has placed Mowbray as the new favourite for the job. The 60-year-old has been out of work since standing down as Blues manager in the summer.

The ex-Celtic boss took a period of absence in February to focus on his health, and most recently has been visiting his former clubs where he has been well received on each visit. Mowbray was at St Andrew's when he spoke of his desire to get back in to football management.

At the start of October, the Daily Mirror reported that Mowbray was 'sounded out' over a possible return to management with Cardiff. Mowbray said he would need to give himself a ‘few months’ before making a return.

“I feel as if I’m almost ready, I want to go back to work sometime soon, in the next few months,” he said.

“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 playing golf and walking 18 holes. I’ve got three teenage boys who all play golf.”

It is believed that talks were held with former West Brom and West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, but he is 'unlikely' to take over. In recent days, Chelsea legend Claude Makelele was linked with the post, but right now doesn’t appear to be in the frame, however Reading boss Ruben Selles has been spoken about.

At the weekend, Gary Rowett, and Ryan Lowe addressed the links to post, with ex-Preston North End boss Lowe speaking in detail about how attractive of a job opportunity it was for any out of work manager. Rowett on the other hand seemingly played down any links to the job.