Tony Mowbray's first words as Birmingham City appoint ex-Celtic, West Brom and Sunderland boss

Tony Mowbray has outlined his plans for Birmingham City after he was appointed as their new first-team manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal. He wants to give the supporters a team to be proud of, and wants to hit the ground running.

The 60-year-old makes a swift return to management after bouncing back from his sacking at Sunderland in early December. He becomes Blues' third manager of the season and replaces Wayne Rooney who lasted just 15 games in the job.

Mowbray's reign will begin immediately, and he will take charge of training ahead of their Championship match with Swansea City at the weekend. Blues face the Welsh side at St Andrew's on Saturday, and Mowbray inherits a side that are currently 20th in the league table.

“I am excited to be joining Birmingham City at this time," said Mowbray on the official club website.

"I can’t wait to get back on the training pitch and start working with this talented group of players. My focus is on building their confidence, delivering results, and giving Blues’ fans a team they can be excited by and proud of.

"I know from personal experience how passionate Bluenoses are, home and away, and I’m looking forward to having their full support for the team starting on Saturday at home to Swansea City."

He has been appointed on a two-and-a-half-year deal which will run until the end of the 2025/26 season. Mark Venus, who made more than 250 appearances for Wolves, links up Mowbray as his assistant manager. Mowbray has managed eight clubs in his career and won the Championship with West Brom in 2008.

He was a League One runner-up with Blackburn Rovers in 2018, and can also count Hibernian, Celtic, Middlesbrough, Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers as his former teams. He guided newly promoted Sunderland to the play-offs last season - losing to Luton Town over two legs.

Mowbray added: “Tom Wagner and Garry Cook have outlined the ambition for the Club. I can’t wait to get started and play my role in helping to make it a reality.”