Tony Mowbray has built a reputation as a manager who can lift teams out of poor form and give opportunities to young players who can play his attractive style of football.
So it was no surprise to anyone when Birmingham City snapped him up after he had a terrible spell under Wayne Rooney.
But after just a month in charge, the 60-year-old has stepped down from his role and undergone medical treatment, with the veteran coach briefing his stunned squad at a meeting at their training ground on Monday morning.
It is unclear what illness Mowbray has been diagnosed with, but the club confirmed he would be stepping aside for six to eight weeks.
As Mowbray unfortunately has to leave football, he has the support of family, including three children with his wife of 23 years, Amber.
Tony Mowbray announced he would step down from his role as manager of Birmingham City after eight games as he seeks medical treatment
Mowbray (right) was hired as a replacement for Wayne Rooney (left) at Birmingham after the Man United legend was sacked after winning two of 15 games
Where did Mowbray grow up?
Mowbray was born on November 22, 1963 in Saltburn, England. His parents’ names are unknown, but he does have a younger brother named Darren.
His brother Darren is also in the sporting world as he is head of recruitment at Southampton.
Does he have a family?
The Birmingham manager has been married to his wife Amber for the past 23 years and the two have three sons together.
The couple married in 2001, after meeting for the first time that same year.
Amber is Mowbray’s second wife, his first wife Bernadette tragically died during his playing days for Celtic.
Mowbray lost his first wife Bernadette to breast cancer in 1995 on New Year’s Day.
Speak with The Athletics in 2019, Mowbray admitted: ‘For the first few years, wherever I played on New Year’s Day, I would fly to Glasgow to celebrate the anniversary of her death.
Mowbray and his second wife Amber have been married for more than twenty years
Mowbray tragically lost his first wife Bernadette to breast cancer in 1995
‘I remember arriving there in a taxi from the airport two minutes before midnight a year ago. I don’t do that now. I have to respect my second wife (Amber), our children and our life together.”
According to The HeraldIn 1994, Bernadette was diagnosed with terminal cancer, prompting the couple to bring forward their wedding when they learned of the extent of her disease.
Mowbray largely keeps his children out of the public eye. However, he offered a rare insight into his family life when he joked that his teenage son was not too happy about him going to Sunderland to manage.
How much is he worth?
Mowbray’s net worth is estimated at around £800,000, from his playing and managerial career.
How did his career as a footballer progress?
The Englishman had an 18-year professional career as a defender, representing three clubs during that time.
Mowbray started his professional career with his local team Middlesbrough in 1982 and after four years at the club he became captain at the age of 22.
Mowbray, affectionately known as ‘Mogga’ by fans, quickly achieved legendary status at the club after taking them from liquidation to the top in just two years.
After making 348 appearances for his boyhood club, Mowbray joined Celtic in 1991 for £1 million.
In 1991, after 348 appearances for Middlesbrough, Mowbray moved to Scottish club Celtic for £1 million. He made 77 appearances for the Scottish club before leaving for Ipswich Town in 1995.
Mowbray ended his playing days at Ipswich and played for the side for five years, becoming their captain.
Mowbray enjoyed a spell as Sunderland manager (left) for the 2022-23 season, after spending five years at Ewood Park as boss of Blackburn Rovers (right)
And what about as a manager?
Mowbray first entered the management world as assistant manager for Ipswich Town in the same year he retired as a player at the club, before taking on a one-month stint as caretaker manager in 2002 following the sacking of George Burley.
The 60-year-old was given his first managerial role in 2004 when he was appointed by Hibernian.
He stayed at the club for two years and Hibs finished in the top four of the league both years. In his first season in charge he won the Scottish Football Writer’s Association manager of the year award.
Mowbray was then appointed manager of West Bromwich Albion in 2006, where he was tasked with returning the club to the Premier League after being relegated the previous season.
Mowbray won promotion with the team in the 2007–08 season.
Mowbray had successful runs with Coventry City and Sunderland but was sent off ninth in the Championship with the Black Cats last December. He then took on the role in Birmingham the following month.
