Manager Tony Mowbray will take a leave of absence from Birmingham City to address a medical issue, the club announced this morning.
Mowbray, who joined Blues last month after being sacked by Sunderland, will be away from the club for a period of six to eight weeks.
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The 60-year-old’s long-time assistant Mark Venus will take over responsibility for the first team in the interim.
A Birmingham statement read: “Birmingham City can confirm that manager, Tony Mowbray, requires medical treatment which means he will be temporarily stepping away from the on-site management of the club for a period of approximately six to eight weeks.
“Assistant manager, Mark Venus, will assume temporary responsibility for the team with immediate effect.”
Mowbray, who watched his side come back from 1-0 down to see off Sunderland 2-1 on Saturday, added: “Following my recent LMA Health Assessment I have received a medical diagnosis that will require me to receive treatment.
“Undergoing treatment will necessitate that I temporarily step away from the technical area as manager of Birmingham City Football Club. Until I return, my assistant manager, Mark Venus, will take temporary charge of the team, supported by coaches Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth and Maik Taylor.
“I will continue to provide advice and counsel while undergoing treatment.
“The club has been incredibly supportive of me and my family and we are very grateful. I know that everyone will be respectful of our privacy at this time.”
Birmingham City can confirm that Manager, Tony Mowbray, requires medical treatment which means he will be temporarily stepping away from the on-site management of the Club for a period of approximately six to eight weeks.
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) February 19, 2024
Mowbray was a commanding centre-half for Middlesbrough, Celtic and Ipswich during his playing days before moving into management.
His first full-time job came at Scottish Premiership side Hibernian before spells at West Brom, Celtic, Middlesbrough, Coventry and Blackburn.
He took over at Sunderland in August 2022 and unexpectedly led the newly promoted club to the play-offs where they lost to Luton.