Former Town captain and coach Tony Mowbray has been appointed the new manager of Birmingham City, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal, with fellow Blues legend Mark Venus once again joining him as his assistant.

Mowbray, 60, and Venus, 56, were sacked by Sunderland just over a month ago after 16 months on Wearside. They take over following Wayne Rooney’s sacking, the ex-England captain having been dismissed last week after only 15 games in charge.

Birmingham co-owner and chairman of the board Tom Wagner told his club’s official website: “Tony was the standout candidate in our search for a new manager. His knowledge of and passion for the game shone through. He shares our ambition and will bring stability at an important time for our great club.

“We received extremely positive feedback from everyone we spoke to about Tony. I am looking forward to seeing him working with the team and he will get the support needed to bring success to the club.”

Chief executive officer Garry Cook added: “We are delighted to welcome Tony Mowbray to Birmingham City. Tony is a widely respected figure in the game and brings a wealth of Championship experience. He knows what it takes to be successful at this level.

“Tony has rightfully earned a reputation as a manager who delivers results, likes to play attractive football, and gives young players a chance. He is the right leader at the right time for our club and I know that our supporters will be right behind him and the team.”

Mowbray said: “I am excited to be joining Birmingham City at this time. I can’t wait to get back on the training pitch and start working with this talented group of players.

“My focus is on building their confidence, delivering results and giving Blues fans a team they can be excited by and proud of.

“I know from personal experience how passionate Bluenoses are, home and away, and I’m looking forward to having their full support for the team starting on Saturday at home to Swansea City.

“Tom Wagner and Garry Cook have outlined the ambition for the club. I can’t wait to get started and play my role in helping to make it a reality.”

Birmingham, who sacked John Eustace in October when sixth in the Championship table, are 20th following Rooney’s disastrous spell.

Photo: Matchday Images

Len_Brennan added 12:40 - Jan 8 Good appointment for them; he might help to reassure Fulham re: keeping Stansfield there for the rest of the season.
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Europablue added 12:57 - Jan 8 Now watch Birmingham gradually improving and moving up the table.
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Barty added 13:30 - Jan 8 I wish Tony and Mark all the best
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Help added 14:30 - Jan 8 Only 12 points behind Sunderland
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 14:50 - Jan 8 Feb 24th we play them. Lets hope he hasn't got them too pumped.
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JewellintheTown added 14:54 - Jan 8 Best appointment they could get at the moment. Got to feel for Brum. We had Hurst, they had Rooney, but I bet he cost considerably more than Hurst did. Hurst - P15, W1, D7, L7 - 10pts - 6.7% win ratio Rooney P15, W2, D4, L 9 - 10pts - 13.3% win ratio Think Rooney was worst considering return on investment. Still, Mogga should steady the ship there now, except hopefully not on 24th Feb.

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dirtydingusmagee added 15:07 - Jan 8 good luck Tony , Respect .
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itfcserbia added 15:46 - Jan 8 Good luck Mogga. Looking forward to Birmingham overtaking Sunderland in the table now.
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chepstowblue added 16:11 - Jan 8 The guy is far too good for an abhorrent shower like Birmingham. He'll got them back up into the top half and they'll replace him with Joey Barton!
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supasmiler71 added 16:17 - Jan 8 Ridiculous decision by Sunderland to get rid.
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FrankMarshall added 16:30 - Jan 8 Great appointment for them. He will steady the ship now after a torrid time under Rooney. Serious top two play off contenders next season now as they have had the right players, just not the right manager.
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emergencylime added 17:38 - Jan 8 That final sentence is a cautionary tale if ever i saw one!
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SickParrot added 18:11 - Jan 8 Mowbray is a great appointment for Birmingham. They don't deserve him though, having already sacked two managers this season. I know their points return under Rooney was very poor but I would've given him more time. Rooney did well at Derby in difficult circumstances and he did okay in the USA too. At Birmingham he was required to change the playing style with no opportunity to sign players to suit the new style. Hopefully Mowbray and Venus will be given more time to implement their ideas.

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shakytown added 23:05 - Jan 8 What happened with Rooney is a carbon copy of what happened when Marcus Evans took over Ipswich. New big name idiot manager with no idea how to do his job. At least Birmingham have seen the light a lot quicker than we did and have made a shrewd appointment. i think they will be challenging for top 6 by the end of the season.
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