Middlesbrough great Tony Mowbray explains why he's leaving Birmingham and details future plans

Tony Mowbray has stepped down as Birmingham City manager, but says he intends to return to football management when fully recovered from an unknown illness that forced him to step back earlier in the season.

The legendary former Boro captain and manager was just eight games into his tenure at St Andrew's when he revealed that he required surgery and would have to take a period of leave from his role. He'd made a solid start after replacing Wayne Rooney too, winning four of his games.

However, in his absence, his long-term assistant Mark Venus struggled for results before Gary Rowett was placed in interim charge but the Blues couldn't do enough as they suffered relegation to League One on the final day of the Championship season. While Mowbray had been hoping to return next season and guide Birmingham straight back to the second tier, he has now explained his difficult decision to resign.

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In a club statement, Mogga said: “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. 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.

"I am extremely grateful to Tom Wagner for the genuine warmth that he has shown towards me during what has been a challenging time, not only for me personally but also for the Club. I would like to thank everybody associated with the Club who has supported me during these unprecedented times, and I would like to especially thank the Birmingham City supporters for your affection, your kindness, and your support in the relatively short period of time I have been with the Club."

Mowbray will now continue to recuperate at home having stayed as actively involved in the running of Birmingham City as he possibly could from home during his period of leave over recent months. Once ready though, the 60-year-old says he does plan to return to management.

“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," Mowbray continued. "Once I have fully recovered and have spent some quality time with my family, I intend to make a return to football management at the appropriate moment. I hope that the privacy of my family and I will be respected at this time. Thank you for your ongoing support, Tony.”

Birmingham City Owner and Chairman of the Board, Tom Wagner, said: “We are disappointed that Tony will not be coming back to lead the team forward but respect his decision to put his health and his family first. In a short period of time at Blues Tony demonstrated excellent leadership skills and a work ethic that galvanised all around him. He is an outstanding human being and will always be welcome at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.”