Former Celtic manager set to replace Wayne Rooney at Birmingham City

Former Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has emerged as the favourite to replace Wayne Rooney as manager of Birmingham City. The former Manchester United striker was given his marching orders after a disastrous spell in charge of The Blues.

Now, the Times are reporting that Mowbray is expected to be announced as the new manager, Birmingham’s third of the season. It is almost a month to the day that Mowbray was surprisingly dismissed by Sunderland only to be replaced by Michael Beale.

Celtic’s manager Tony Mowbray watches his team play against Hamburg during their UEFA Europa League, match at Celtic Park on October 22, 2009. (Photo GRAHAM STUART/AFP via Getty Images)

Now, the consortium that includes NFL star Tom Brady, will look to the former Celtic to revive their season as they sit dangerously close to the relegation zone.

The central defender turned coach played for Celtic four nearly four years in the early 1990s and was the popular choice for the job having enjoyed impressive spells at Hibernian and West Brom. As we know now, Mowbray’s tenure was short lived.

Mowbray’s football at times was very attractive and was the Celtic way. However, defeats to lesser oppositions and failing to win the big games meant that even without the humbling in Paisley, he would have found it a tall order to retain his job.

imago Color Sports – Celtic vs Rangers atCeltic Park 3rd January 2010 – Sasa Papac and Georgios Samaras with Celtic Coach Tony Mowbray in the background.

Celtic were beaten 4-0 by St Mirren as Mowbray’s era crumbled in the midweek fixture. You would be hard-tasked to find defending that bad in an amateur league as the Buddies couldn’t believe their luck.

Mowbray and Celtic were an unfortunate marriage at a time where Celtic began to cutback. Unlike Strachan’s sides, who were pragmatic and could win ugly, Mowbray’s sides forfeited defensive robustness for pretty, attractive football and ultimately, results will be hindered by this. He was, and still is, highly regarded by the Celtic support as a man – even if his managerial tenure was disappointing.