Tony Mowbray ‘ready’ for return to management

Tony Mowbray who previously managed Hibs and Celtic, says he is ready to return to management. Picture: SNS

The Blues, who travel to Blackburn in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday, parted company with Lee Clark on Monday after two years, while former Middlesbrough boss Mowbray has been out of work for exactly a year since being sacked by Boro.

The 50-year-old, who has also managed West Brom and Celtic, has not spoken to Birmingham but says he is prepared to return to football if the right club comes calling.

“I’m ready to get back to work but you have to make sure it’s the right job,” he told Press Association Sport. “If you choose the wrong one you could be out of work again in six months or a year. I need to have a look at the situation.

• Celtic sacked me too soon, says Tony Mowbray

“I consciously took the decision (to have time out) because it’s a very demanding job and it’s getting more demanding every year with social media and foreign ownership.

“Sometimes you have to take a mental break, particularly when you have got a young family, so I have spent a great year with them.”

Mowbray watched Blues lose 4-0 at Wigan in August as he looked to put himself back on the managerial map.

He added: “I saw them at Wigan but I have watched a lot of the Championship as I look to get back in the frame, but there are a lot of good experienced managers in the frame.”

Birmingham want to make a quick appointment with chief scout Malcolm Crosby in caretaker charge for their trip to Ewood Park.

Clark had initially said he would not quit before leaving on Monday afternoon as he paid the price for just one home league win in 12 months.