Birmingham City Appoints Gary Rowett as Interim Coach
Birmingham City Football Club has officially appointed Gary Rowett as their interim head coach, with Tony Mowbray taking a formal medical leave of absence until the start of the 2024-25 season. Rowett, who previously served as Birmingham manager from 2014 to 2016, will lead the team for the remaining eight games of the season.
Mowbray, 60, has been undergoing medical treatment since February and has decided to take some additional time away to focus on his health and family. The club fully supports his decision and wishes him the best. Assistant manager Mark Venus has been in temporary charge during Mowbray’s absence.
Gary Rowett, 50, is an experienced leader who has the full support of the board and club leadership. He previously guided Birmingham City from the outskirts of the relegation zone to challenging for the play-offs during his tenure as manager. Rowett becomes the sixth person to take charge of Birmingham this season.
Since Venus took charge, Birmingham City has struggled to find success, picking up just one point and slipping to 21st place in the table. With the threat of relegation looming, the club believes that Rowett’s leadership will be crucial in turning their fortunes around.
Birmingham City has attracted attention in recent months due to their ownership structure. US-based Shelby Companies Limited completed their takeover of the club in July, and NFL icon Tom Brady was announced as a minority investor in August. With such notable figures involved, there is a spotlight on the club’s performance.
Rowett left his previous managerial position at Millwall by mutual consent in October. During his four-year tenure at Millwall, he led the team to the brink of the play-offs last season. Now, he faces the challenge of rejuvenating Birmingham City and securing their place in the Championship for next season.
The team’s first test under Rowett’s leadership will be a match against Queens Park Rangers on Friday. Birmingham City will be looking to secure a much-needed victory to boost their chances of survival.
With just eight games remaining in the season, Birmingham City’s fans and stakeholders will be eagerly watching to see if Rowett can guide the team to safety and build a solid foundation for the future. The club’s turbulent season has seen multiple managerial changes, but with Rowett’s experience and the support of the board, there is hope for a positive turnaround.
As Birmingham City prepares for their upcoming match, the Championship relegation battle intensifies. With nine teams in danger of dropping down to a lower division, every point will be crucial in determining their fate. Birmingham City will need to dig deep and show their resilience as they fight for their place in the Championship.