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Tony Mowbray says he is “really excited” about the upcoming season back at Blackburn Rovers and revealed he rejected “four or five offers” before he returned to Ewood Park in June.
Mowbray, 62, has returned to the club where he had been manager from February 2017 to May 2022, with their opening Championship game at Wolves on Friday.
In February 2024 he was diagnosed with bowel cancer and quit as
Phil Jones has left Blackburn Rovers to pursue “another opportunity” away from Ewood Park.
The former Rovers defender, who played for the club between 2002 and 2011, returned in February to be part of Michael O’Neill’s coaching staff.
The 34-year-old has been linked with Sheffield United where Chris Wilder is revamping his backroom staff.
“We are naturally disappointed to see him leave [but] we respect his decision to continue developing
An interview with Tony Mowbray at the back of Blackburn Rovers’ training ground at Brockhall was something I had pretty much consigned to the past but looked back on with fond memories – until this week.
As soon as our conversation started, it felt as though four years had disappeared in an instant. There we were again, swapping pleasantries, talking football and slipping effortlessly back into familiar territory. Some people
Returning Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray says beating cancer has made him realise how lucky he is.
Mowbray is back at Ewood Park, four years after his first five-year spell, and says he has a new outlook on life after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2024.
He quit as Birmingham City manager as he underwent treatment and says he feels re-energised since being given the all-clear.
Mowbray has
We asked for your thoughts after Tony Mowbray was re-appointed as Blackburn head coach, returning to Ewood Park after more than five years in charge between 2017 and 2022.
Here are a selection of your responses:
Michael F: Decent bloke, but backward step. Mr “safe hands” (i.e. cheap option for Venkys) but uninspiring.
Mark H: Tony Mowbray is the right choice! He needs to be given a chance as he
Tony Mowbray has been appointed as Blackburn Rovers head coach for the upcoming Championship season.
The 62-year-old returns to Ewood Park for a second spell in charge after more than five years at the club between 2017 and 2022.
Previous interim boss Michael O’Neill decided against taking the role on a permanent basis after replacing the sacked Valerien Ismael in February.
Blackburn fans, are you happy with Mowbray’s appointment?
If
Blackburn Rovers have appointed Tony Mowbray as their new head coach for a second spell in charge.
Mowbray, 62, spent more than five years managing Rovers between 2017 and 2022.
He replaces Michael O’Neill who decided not to take the job on a permanent basis following an interim role during the second half of last season.
Mowbray has been in management for more than two decades and most recently led
After retiring from playing in 2013, McCarthy joined the coaching staff at Scottish Premiership side Hibernian before going on to manage Cape Town City and AmaZulu in his home country of South Africa.
He was also Manchester United’s first-team striker coach between 2022 and 2024 and has been with the Kenya national team since March 2025.
But McCarthy said there are a “few special places” in his heart, including Blackburn.
While O’Neill did not explicitly say in his press conference he would be open to another short-term dual role going forward, he also did not rule it out.
He has admitted he “underestimated” the noise surrounding him taking on both roles, and added that “probably could have done with a little less drama”.
Speaking to BBC Sport NI ahead of June’s friendlies with Guinea and France, he reiterated his commitment
Blackburn Rovers have announced the departures of Sondre Tronstad, Ryan Hedges and Nathan Redmond.
Tronstad played 113 games in his three seasons with Rovers, but the Norway midfielder, 30, has not since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in February.
Winger Hedges, 30, joined Blackburn from Aberdeen in January 2022 and made 145 appearances, but he suffered a broken leg in January and only returned to make two substitute appearances