Ex-Celtic boss steps down from role after major surgery

Ex-Celtic and Hibs boss Tony Mowbray. Cr. Getty Images.

EFL club announce manager departure following surgery earlier this year

Birmingham City have confirmed former Celtic and Hibs boss Tony Mowbray has stood down from his role as manager in order to recover from an unknown illness.

Mowbray, 60, was appointed at St. Andrews in January, just weeks after his shock sacking at fellow EFL Championship outfit Sunderland. However, he was forced to ‘step away’ from his new role in February after just eight games, with the club stating he required ‘major surgery’.

It has now been confirmed that Mowbray will not return to the dugout.

“Over the very recent days it has become apparent to me that I will not be fully fit to resume my duties as manager,” Mowbray confirmed on Tuesday. “I have regrettably decided to step away from my role at this time,” the 60-year-old added via a club statement.

Tasked with steering the club away from relegation after replacing Wayne Rooney, he won four of his first eight games in charge but was replaced in the interim by Gary Rowett.

Rowett was unable to stave off relegation and the Blues were demoted to the third tier on the final day of the season despite a 1-0 win over Norwich City.

As Hibs manager between 2006 and 2009, he won the Scottish Football Writers' Association manager of the year award in Edinburgh before leaving to join West Bromwich Albion. After winning promotion with the Baggies, he then returned to Scotland with Celtic in the summer of 2009. However, lack of domestic success saw him sacked the following March. More recently, he led Sunderland to the EFL Championship play offs in 2022/2023 season.

As a player, Mowbray also spent time at Celtic Park, appearing in 77 league games for the club between 1991 and 1995 before leaving to join Ipswich Town.