Tony Mowbray Preston North End’s league foe, Birmingham City

The Birmingham City manager is stepping away from his post temporarily.

Birmingham City have stated that manager Tony Mowbray will take a temporary leave of absence due to medical treatment.

The Blues, who hired Mowbray in early January, anticipate him to step away from ‘on-site management of the Club for a period of around six to eight weeks’. Mark Venus, the assistant manager, will take up temporary responsibility for the team with immediate effect.

Mowbray stated, “Following my recent LMA Health Assessment, I obtained a medical diagnosis that requires me to receive therapy. Due to treatment, I shall have to temporarily step away from my role as Manager of Birmingham City Football Club. Until I return, my Assistant Manager, Mark Venus, will take temporary command of the team, assisted by coaches Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth, and Maik Taylor.

“I will continue to offer advise and counsel while in treatment. The Club has been extremely supportive of me and my family, and we are appreciative. I am confident that everyone will respect our privacy at this time.

The 60-year-old took over for Wayne Rooney at St Andrew’s and currently leads Birmingham to 15th place after defeating former side Sunderland last time out. The campaign has 14 games remaining and will end on May 4. Mowbray might return to work for Preston North End’s away game on April 1 after a six-to-eight-week absence. After that, the Blues face Leicester, Cardiff, Coventry, Rotherham, Huddersfield, and Norwich.