Birmingham City 'set to appoint' Gary Rowett as interim boss

Mark Venus has taken charge of the side in recent weeks while Tony Mowbray is taking a step back to receive medical treatment.

The former Rovers boss was appointed by the Blues in January, succeeding Wayne Rooney in the hot seat.

In a statement in February, Mowbray said: “Following my recent LMA health assessment I have received a medical diagnosis that will require me to receive treatment.

"Undergoing treatment will necessitate that I temporarily step away from the technical area as manager of Birmingham City Football Club.

"Until I return, my assistant manager Mark Venus will take temporary charge of the team, supported by coaches Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth and Maik Taylor. I will continue to provide advice and counsel while undergoing treatment.

“The club has been incredibly supportive of me and my family and we are very grateful. I know that everyone will be respectful of our privacy at this time.”

Birmingham find themselves 21st in the Championship and only above the relegation zone on goal difference following their 1-0 defeat against Watford at the weekend. They have now lost three games on the spin and have taken just one point from their last six.  

Rowett managed the Blues between 2014 and 2016. The 50-year-old’s most recent role was at Millwall but his time in charge at the Den came to an end by mutual consent last October.

After the final whistle at Watford, Venus told the press: “I can’t protect the players for Tuesday (a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough) but I can protect them today, I thought they gave everything on the pitch.

“We talk about missing a little bit of quality, that was evident again today. But as far as energy, intensity, desire, purpose and team spirit, that was all there today.

“We have to finish better, let’s see it as it is. We have to finish better and we have to put the ball in the net.

“We have to raise our quality, we have to do better all those things, all the other things were all there today.”