Birmingham are bringing back their former boss after Tony Mowbray was forced to resign

GARY ROWETT has returned to Birmingham as interim manager until the end of the season.

The 50-year-old previously spent two years in charge at St Andrew’s between 2014 and 2016.

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He succeeds Mark Venus, who has been at the helm since Tony Mowbray resigned in February to undergo medical treatment.

The club confirmed that Mowbray would miss the rest of the season.

Rowett will now take charge for the remainder of the campaign in an attempt to beat the decline.

A club statement read: “Birmingham City Football Club can confirm that manager Tony Mowbray will take formal medical leave until the start of the 2024/25 pre-season.

“The Club has appointed interim manager Gary Rowett for the remaining eight matches of the Sky Bet Championship season with immediate effect.

“Rowett has significant management experience in the division, having previously managed Birmingham from October 2014 to December 2016.

“The decision to act was taken at the start of the international breakthrough by the board and leadership team, in partnership with Mowbray, who was instrumental in identifying Rowett as the right manager to lead the team through to the end of the season moving forward.

“The medical leave will allow Mowbray to focus 100 percent on being with his family and making a full recovery following his recent health issues.

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“Assistant manager Mark Venus will also take leave with immediate effect and rejoin the Club at the same time as Mowbray.

“First team coaches, Ashley Cole and Peter Shuttleworth, and goalkeeping coach, Maik Taylor, will remain with the Club as part of Rowett’s coaching staff.”

Birmingham have not won any of their six games since Mowbray left and picked up just one point under Venus.

Their poor results leave the Blues in 21st place in the Championship and only above the drop zone on goal difference.

Rowett will play eight matches for the first time since 1994 to avoid relegation to the third tier.

The former Millwall boss has disappeared from management since leaving The Den in October.

He previously managed Birmingham for two years and led the club to a successive 10th-place finish in the Championship.

However, he was sacked in December 2016 when the Blues were seventh in the table.

Rowett has also had spells in charge of Derby and Stoke since leaving Birmingham more than seven years ago.

Speaking on the news, Birmingham co-owner Tom Wagner said: “The board and club management fully support Tony’s decision to take time to focus on his health and his family. We continue to wish Tony and his family all the best.

“Based on Tony’s decision to take some additional time off, we have agreed that it is in the best interests of the Club to appoint Gary Rowett to lead the team forward from the sidelines for the final eight games of the season.

“Gary is an experienced leader and has our full support.”

CEO Garry Cook said: “The team is in a challenging position. A strong leader is needed to guide the players to the end of the season.

“Tony wanted to be part of the solution, so we agreed together to identify an interim manager. Gary Rowett was the number one choice.

“We are pleased to welcome Gary back to Blues. He has the experience and passion for the Club and our loyal fans.

“Gary will have all the support needed to keep the club in the Sky Bet Championship.

“We all look forward to welcoming Tony and Mark back to the Club for the start of next season and continue to wish Tony a speedy recovery.”