In a triumphant return to Blackburn Rovers, Tony Mowbray secured a 2-1 victory against Burton Albion in his first competitive match back at the helm. Mowbray, who previously managed the club from February 2017 until May 2022, expressed his excitement for the upcoming season during an interview at the EFL launch day in Manchester.
At 62 years old, Mowbray has come back to a club that holds significant memories for him. He left Blackburn after leading them to three consecutive mid-table finishes in the Championship and narrowly missing out on the play-offs in the 2021-22 season. His return comes after a challenging period that included a diagnosis of bowel cancer in February 2024, which led to his resignation from Birmingham City to focus on treatment. Fortunately, he has since been given the all-clear and is eager to re-engage with the sport he loves.
"It’s great to be back at such an amazing football club," Mowbray stated. He reflected on his health struggles, mentioning, "I had an illness for a few years, and it has been a tough recovery. Even when I had recovered, I found myself walking on the beach with my dog thinking, 'I’m missing football a lot.'" His passion for the game remained undiminished, as he continued to analyze matches and ponder coaching decisions during his time away.
Despite receiving several offers during his recovery, Mowbray chose to wait for the right opportunity. He explained, "During my illness, I had four or five offers from teams, but those were not right for me, so I turned down quite a few offers. This job came when I was starting to think whether a job was going to come along that was right for me." His decision to return to Blackburn reflects both a personal connection and a professional challenge he is excited to tackle.
Upon his return, Mowbray has acknowledged the difficulties ahead. The Rovers narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing 20th in the Championship with just 42 goals scored in 46 matches. The team only stayed up due to financial penalties imposed on other clubs. Mowbray recognizes the need for improvement, stating, "It is a big job. We have lost some players from last season, and the team is not as strong in numbers. The team needs more goals, a bit more magic – players that can get behind the opposition and score."
Looking ahead, Mowbray draws inspiration from Hull City, who managed to secure promotion through the play-offs just a year after facing relegation. He aims to instill a sense of belief in his players and the fans, encouraging them to look upward rather than over their shoulders. He remarked, "I’m looking forward to trying to improve the team and make the fans believe that we can look upwards, rather than over their shoulders."
As he embarks on this new chapter, Mowbray is determined to make a positive impact at Blackburn Rovers. He concluded, "This club feels right for me, and I hope the supporters come to the games, see a team trying to win every match, scoring more goals and giving them more enjoyment." With his health issues behind him and a renewed focus on football, Mowbray is poised to lead Blackburn into a promising season.
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