Next Birmingham City manager: Former Sunderland, Derby County and Everton bosses ‘leading the way’

Birmingham City’s hunt for their next manager has begun after Tony Mowbray’s permanent departure was announced.

Blues confirmed on Tuesday morning that Mowbray had decided not to return from a forced medical absence. The 60-year-old initially stepped down in February to take six to eight months off to focus on his health, but he later extended his leave.

Now, a couple of months into his recovery from a surgical procedure, Mowbray has made the difficult decision to step down from Blues entirely. Blues are grateful for Mowbray’s selflessness in telling the club so immediately.

Birmingham’s CEO Garry Cook has confirmed that the search for a new head coach will immediately begin. “I would personally like to commend Tony for informing us of his decision so soon after the end of the season,” Cook stated.

“It provides us the opportunity to undertake a rigorous search process to identify the right leader to take our club forward and have that person in place before the start of pre-season,” the head of the club said.

But who may possibly be the next man in the dugout at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park? The market has launched ahead of heated arguments in the West Midlands. Here’s a roundup of the current favourites.