Yahoo News Birmingham City supporters 'selfishly gutted' in outpouring of well wishes to Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray has permanently stepped down as Birmingham City first team manager, with supporters wishing him all the best in their masses.
The 60-year-old took over at St. Andrews' Stadium in January, though had to step away a month later to undergo treatment for a medical diagnosis. Assistant Mark Venus stood in for a time until Gary Rowett was appointed on an interim basis, with the club eventually suffering relegation to League One at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
As preparations begin for next season in the third tier, at the top of the list was resolving Mowbray's future. Understandably, health comes first as a club statement confirmed his exit on Tuesday morning.
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"As people will be aware, I am currently undertaking a period of extended convalescence following significant and unexpected surgery earlier in the year which required that I take a period of medical absence," the outgoing manager explained.
"Throughout this period, I have watched every Birmingham City game along with every training session, whilst I have remained in positive and constructive dialogue with Tom Wagner, Garry Cook and Craig Gardner.
"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.
"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," he concluded, before thanking everyone associated with the club.
BirminghamLive has collected just a fraction of the responses to this message wishing Mowbray well...
@LukeKiely96: "Not the decision we all wanted, but completely understandable. Wish Tony all the best in his recovery, health is the most important thing! Keep Right On, Tony!"
@_James_Jones_: "This is a very sobering message this morning. I wish Tony only the very best. Selfishly gutted however health above all else and I wish him the very best moving forward. Thanks Uncle Tone #bcfc to good health!"
@LucyClough1: "Here's to hoping he is better in the long term! UTB."
@stellytalks: "Absolutely devastated. I wish TM all the best. I do hope we give Rowett the job permanently now and push on. It would be great to have TM in the background in some capacity. KRO."
@1Dandrews: "Wishing Tony a speedy recovery. Health trumps everything. Keep Right On!!"
@PeterElson1983: "Extremely sad news for the club, but what a man. He's done absolutely the right thing for himself and his family and will always be welcomed back at the Blues. #KRO."
@milcaptures: "Thank you for what you did during your time with us, Tony! Best wishes."
@ben_flavelle: "Gutted, think it was the right decision fully fit or not, his family need him more than football does, up the blues TM."
@9_Hendo: "Think deep down we all expected it but it's a crying shame. Ultimately this boils down to a person's health which means way more than football. Tony Fantastico."
@Real_Rob_Warner: "Hope you can be in good health, Tony. A proper football man."
Finally, the official Ipswich Town - the club Mowbray spent the final five years of his playing career and received his managerial break - account ( @IpswichTown ) also replied to Birmingham's with the message: "Wishing you all the best, Mogga," accompanied with a blue heart emoji.
