The Blues Trust react to Tony Mowbray’s exit with a message for Birmingham City’s powerhouses

The Blues Trust have paid tribute to Birmingham City manager Tony Mowbray after he stepped down due to illness – and called on the Knighthead owners to find a replacement who can “put the club back on a solid footing and build a positive culture”.

Mowbray, 60, has decided to step back from management to continue his recovery with his wife and three sons, allowing the Blues to appoint a new manager to lead them into League One. The chief executive Garry Cook says the timing of Mowbray’s decision allows the Blues to “undertake a rigorous search process to identify the right leader to lead our club forward”.

In a statement sent to Birmingham Live, independent supporters’ trust said: “Everyone associated with the Blues Trust, Birmingham City’s independent supporters’ trust, sends their heartfelt appreciation and best wishes to Tony Mowbray on the news of his resignation.

“Despite only being with the club for a short time before his unfortunate health problems, he became a firm fan favorite and proved to be a decent and likeable man. His situation brought into perspective what is truly important in life – our health and our families.

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“It seems typical of Tony to have taken this decision not to resume his duties as early as possible, giving Birmingham City Football Club the best chance to prepare for what we believe will be a defining season in League One. We hope that his recovery is speedy. and we look forward to welcoming him back to St Andrew’s in the not too distant future. We pay tribute to Tony Mowbray’s service and thank him for his well wishes to our club.

“It is now up to Garry Cook, Tom Wagner and those who hold the levers of power to move heaven and earth to make our next managerial appointment someone who can put the club on a solid footing and build a positive club culture. Someone we can get behind and who can propel us into a bright new future. We believe it needs to be an advanced decision based on footballing pedigree, potential and ability to develop into a committed, attacking club side and we trust Knighthead to choose wisely.

“Although it is a sad day for the club in many ways, we believe that the decision gives us new possibilities and the chance to chart a new course with a young and exciting squad. As always, it will be a long, long road for us. fans – but let’s look forward to where it might take us, together as a unified fan base.”

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