Tony Mowbray steps down as Birmingham manager after surgery

Birmingham have announced Tony Mowbray has stood down as manager as he targets making a full recovery after major surgery for an unnamed illness.

Mowbray temporarily stepped down in February before taking a formal leave of absence in March but will not return to the dugout at St Andrew’s. He won four of his eight games after being appointed in January.

It leaves Birmingham searching for their fourth permanent manager in seven months and sixth in that period including interim managers. Gary Rowett returned in March tasked with retaining the club’s Championship status but they were relegated on the final day despite beating Norwich.

Mowbray has decided to focus on making a full recovery from his treatment and spending time with his family. “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,” he said.

The 60-year-old added he intended to “return to management at the appropriate moment” but for now is focusing on time with his loved ones. “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.”

Birmingham’s chief executive, Garry Cook, who drove the disastrous appointment of Wayne Rooney, said the club was undertaking a “rigorous search process to identify the right leader to take our club forward” in time for pre-season.