FORMER Celtic boss Tony Mowbray has been named as Wayne Rooney’s successor at Birmingham City.
The much-travelled gaffer, 60, signed a two-year deal at the Midlands club – just over a month after being sacked by Sunderland.
Mowbray takes over at St Andrews only six days after the club axed Manchester United and England legend Rooney who led the team to just two wins in 15 Championship games following his arrival in October last year.
The one-time Hoops chief spent 15 months at the Stadium of Light before being surprisingly fired.
A BIG HAND…Tony Mowbray on the day he took over as Celtic manager in June 2009.
Discussing his swift return, Mowbray, speaking to BBC Sport, said: “I can’t wait to get back on the training pitch and start working with this talented group of players.
“My focus is on building their confidence, delivering results and giving Blues fans a team they can be excited by and proud of.
“I know from personal experience how passionate Bluenoses are, home and away, and I’m looking forward to having their full support for the team starting on Saturday at home to Swansea City.”
As well as Celtic and Sunderland, Mowbray has been in charge at Hibs, Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough, Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers.
The Englishman arrived at Parkhead in June 2009 as successor to Gordon Strachan, but he was sacked in March the following year in the immediate aftermath of an embarrassing 4-0 loss to St Mirren in Paisley.
EX-CELTIC BOSS POISED FOR QUICKFIRE RETURN