News Focus
- Tony Mowbray, 62, begins second spell in charge at Ewood Park
- Replaces Michael O’Neill who rejected permanent position after temporary role
- Club finished 20th in Championship last season, only five points above drop zone
- Former West Brom and Sunderland boss returns following health battle
- Tasked with major squad rebuild ahead of new campaign
Blackburn Rovers have confirmed that Tony Mowbray is their new head coach. The manager returns to the club five years after he left.
The 62-year-old worked at the Lancashire club for over five years between 2017 and 2022. During his first spell, he stayed longer than any other manager under the current owners.
Mowbray takes over from Michael O’Neill. The Northern Ireland boss said no to a permanent job after keeping the team safe in a temporary role.
The Championship club had a difficult season. They finished in 20th place, only five points clear of the drop zone. The club sacked Valerien Ismael in February.
In his first spell, Mowbray could not stop the team from falling into League One in 2017. But he won promotion back to the Championship in his first full season. He then made the team a strong second-tier side.
After leaving in 2022, he managed Sunderland, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. Health problems made him leave Birmingham in early 2024. He had treatment for bowel cancer.
He came back to football with West Brom in January 2025. But the club sacked him just three months later.
The club says Mowbray knows their identity well. They point to his experience and football ideas as key for the future.
The team needs new players quickly. Some players from his first time are still there. But the squad needs major work to avoid another battle against relegation.
This move brings stability after a hard period. Fans respect Mowbray greatly. He knows how the club works, which will help him settle in.