Tony Mowbray 'keen' to reunite with former Sunderland coach as Blackburn Rovers return confirmed
A former Sunderland coach has been linked with a role within Tony Mowbray's coaching staff at Championship club Blackburn Rovers.
Former Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray is preparing for life back in the dugout after agreeing to return for a second spell in change of Championship club Blackburn Rovers - and he could be joined by a familiar face.
The 62-year-old spent five years in charge at Ewood Park after initially joining the former Premier League champions in February 2017 before moving to Sunderland following Alex Neil’s departure to Stoke City in August 2022. Mowbray became a popular figure during his time at the Stadium of Light as he guided the Black Cats into the Championship play-offs before a semi-final defeat against Luton Town ended any thoughts over promotion into the Premier League.
Mowbray left Sunderland in early-December 2023 and went on to spend time in charge of Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion - and he is now back in management after an absence of just over a year after Blackburn confirmed his appointment on Friday.
Speaking after agreeing to return to Rovers, he told the club website: ““It almost feels like I’m coming back to finish the job, because the aim of every team in the Championship is to try and get to the Premier League. I think you need the energy to do the job and my wife is so happy that this opportunity has come because I’ve been driving everybody mad in the house!
“I’m full of energy, but the highlight of my day has been going out and walking the dog! Football burns away in me. I’m looking forward to meeting the players and I’m hoping they’re all full of energy and desperate to do well. I’m looking forward to it, I know the responsibility of being the Head Coach at a club like this and I am here to make people proud.”
A familiar face is reportedly set to join Mowbray at Ewood Park after former Sunderland first-team coach and interim manager Mike Dodds was said to be under consideration for a role within the Rovers setup. The duo worked together during their time at the Stadium of Light and journalist Alan Nixon has now claimed Mowbray is keen to reunite with Dodds, who is currently assistant manager at Oxford United, as his latest managerial reign gets underway. Dodds has never hidden from his respect for Mowbray and he paid an emotional tribute to his former manager when his time in charge at the Stadium of Light was brought to an end.
Tribute
Speaking in December 2023, the former Black Cats coach said of Mowbray: "He's a proper man. "He's got real high standards, real integrity and real morals. Nobody associated with this football club would argue or disagree with what he's done in 15 months here. He's laid really, really strong foundations for whoever the next head coach is to be really successful. When the dust settles Tony will I'm sure take a lot of pride in what he achieved here and I know that everyone here has nothing but the highest regard for Tony and thanks for everything he did."