Sources: Birmingham City agree deal with Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray has agreed a deal to be the new Birmingham City manager, sources have told Football Insider.
It is believed that the Blues hierarchy are finalising the paperwork on the deal before confirming the 60-year-old as Wayne Rooney’s successor.
Mowbray has reached a full agreement with the club after talks advanced on Saturday and the club are expected to announce his appointment soon.
As revealed by Football Insider (4 January), the Blues were in talks with Mowbray and ex-Millwall manager Gary Rowett and had an interest in former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch.
However, the recently dismissed Sunderland boss has beaten off competition and will take over duties at St Andrew’s.
Sources also told Football Insider (3 January) that the club had made former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper their top choice to replace Rooney.
But the Welshman is holding out for a join in the Premier League and is not keen to go back down to the Championship.
Mowbray was sacked by the Black Cats in December and left the club in ninth place in the second tier.
Rooney’s disastrous appointment ended on 2 January after he won just two games in his 15 in charge of the club.
He took Birmingham City from sixth place to 20th.
Professional Development Coach Steve Spooner took over first-team duties for the Blues’ FA Cup clash against Hull City on Saturday (6 January).
However, Mowbray is set to take the role for their Championship game against Swansea on Saturday (13 January).
The Blues remain 20th and are set to replay their FA Cup tie against the Tigers after the 1-1 draw at the MKM Stadium on Saturday (6 January).
In other news, Kieran Maguire drops brutal owners verdict as ‘sexy’ Rooney deal ‘bites’ Birmingham.