A resurfaced interview has revealed that Birmingham City manager Tony Mowbray previously claimed he would “stop” football management if he “had a problem at home”.
News broke on Monday morning that the Birmingham manager would leave his role at St Andrew’s for six to eight weeks of medical treatment after just eight games in charge.
It is unclear what illness Mowbray was diagnosed with but the club confirmed he would step aside on Monday.
The news is said to have left his new team “stunned”, having recently arrived in place of Wayne Rooney on January 8, after the former England international was sacked following a poor run of form.
Now, following the news, an interview with The Athletic has resurfaced in which Mowbray reflected on the issues that could keep him away from football.
Tony Mowbray has left his position at Birmingham City for six to eight weeks, after just eight games in charge, to receive medical treatment.
A resurfaced interview revealed that Tony Mowbray previously claimed he would “stop” the administration if he “had a problem at home” (pictured with wife Amber).
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Speaking in 2019, he said: ‘As a manager, this job is not three hours a day. I’m here at 7:15 and I leave after 10 p.m. If I had a problem at home, I would stop doing it. He would approach the owner and say, “My kids or my wife are in trouble here.”
‘I am aware that my children are growing up without their father at home. My family’s house is two hours away. I don’t come home every night. I have an apartment here.
“When kids are rebellious, messy, don’t go to bed or don’t do their homework, start using bad words, I think, ‘Have I done this right? Should I be home? Should I just be a dad? Okay? ‘Is this job worth it?’ There is reward, but balance is important.
‘My wife (Amber) is taking a brave stand in the face of three children who test her every day. I can feel her getting tired. There are days when I go home just to make sure they do their homework, get up and go to bed on time. “If I do it twice a week, it’s great for us.”
Mowbray is currently married to his second wife Amber, with whom he has three children.
In 1995, Mowbray’s first wife, Bernadette Doyle Mowbray, died of breast cancer on New Year’s Day.
In that same interview, he revealed: “For many years, wherever he played on New Year’s Day, I arrived in Glasgow on a plane to mark the anniversary of his death.
‘I remember one year arriving two minutes before midnight in a taxi from the airport. I don’t do that now. “I have to respect my second wife (Amber), our children and our life together.”
According The HeraldBernadette was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1994, causing the couple to bring forward their wedding once they learned the extent of her illness.
Mowbray married his first wife, Bernadette, in 1994 before she died on New Year’s Day 1995.
The manager admitted that the long hours had made him consider leaving management
On Monday morning, a club statement read: ‘Birmingham City I can confirm that the Manager, Tony Mowbray, requires medical treatment, meaning he will be temporarily removed from on-site management of the Club for a period of approximately six to eight weeks.
“Deputy manager Mark Venus will temporarily assume responsibility for the team with immediate effect.”
Mowbray said the club had been “incredibly” supportive when he confirmed the news and said he would continue to provide guidance to the coaching staff.
‘Following my recent AML health assessment, I received a medical diagnosis that will require me to receive treatment. The treatment will require me to temporarily step away from the Technical Area as Manager of Birmingham City Football Club.
“Until I return, my assistant manager, Mark Venus, will temporarily take charge of the team, supported by coaches Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth and Maik Taylor. “I will continue to provide advice and guidance during treatment.
‘The Club has been very supportive of me and my family and we are very grateful. “I know everyone will be respectful of our privacy at this time.”
Mowbray replaced Rooney last month and appeared to have had a positive impact.
Several of his former teams were quick to wish their former boss well and a speedy recovery on social media.
“Get well soon Mogga, I wish you all the best from everyone at MFC,” Middlesbrough, whom he managed between 2010 and 2013, wrote in X.
“I wish you a speedy recovery, Tony,” added Sunderland, where Mowbray managed 65 games. “We are all behind you.”
“Everyone at West Bromwich Albion wishes Tony all the best in his treatment and a speedy recovery,” the Baggies added, after Mowbray spent almost three years in the Hawthorns’ dugout.