Birmingham City look like they’re closing in on hiring their next manager.
Birmingham City appear to be moving hastily in their search for Wayne Rooney‘s successor.
He was only axed at the start of this week, and after only 15 games in charge. But two wins from those 15 and 10 points from a possible 45 has left Blues in 20th place of the table, and Rooney without a job.
There’s been several names linked with the St Andrew’s vacancy including the likes of Will Still and Ralph Hasenhuttl, though it was recently revealed that Blues’ final three candidates were Paul Heckingbottom, Jesse Marsch, and Tony Mowbray.
And since, reports have suggested that former Sunderland boss Mowbray is the clear frontrunner, and that he’s set to take charge of Birmingham City on a two-and-a-half year deal.
Brian Dick would be ‘chuffed’ with Tony Mowbray
Mowbray, 60, is vastly experienced in the Championship, and very well-regarded having earned promotions with both West Brom and Blackburn Rovers in the past.
Last season he steered Sunderland to a 6th place finish in the Championship despite it being only their first season back in the second tier after a four-year hiatus.
And his Black Cats side were in 6th at the time of his sacking last month, so Mowbray certainly has pedigree, and recent experience of the second tier; two things Rooney didn’t really have.
Having his say on Mowbray’s seemingly imminent arrival at Birmingham City, Birmingham Live journalist Brian Dick gave this verdict:
Mowbray faces immediate hurdle at Birmingham City
Mowbray on a two-and-a-half year deal suggests that he’s not the long-term vision for the club, but that he’ll be given ample time to mend the current issues and stake his claim to take the club forward beyond the end of the 2025/26 season.
Right now though, the main aim for Blues is moving away from the drop zone.
Rooney has left Birmingham City just six points above the drop zone and with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday gathering speed in 22nd, Blues could quickly be sucked into the bottom three.
Needless to say, relegation would be catastrophic for Birmingham City who spent well last summer. But Mowbray is an experienced pair of hands and he seems like the best man for the job right now.
He’ll hopefully get Blues playing a more confident style of play and a more effective one too, with points being the key aim right now.
And Mowbray showed at Sunderland that he can adapt and manage a side with multiple injuries, so that should come in handy at an injury-plagued Birmingham City side as well.
Expect the 60-year-old to be watching on as Blues take on Hull City in the FA Cup today.