Tony Mowbray ‘keen to reunite’ with former Sunderland coach as Blackburn return confirmed | OneFootball

Tony Mowbray has returned to Blackburn Rovers for a second spell as head coach. Reports suggest he is keen to reunite with former Sunderland coach Mike Dodds, now Oxford United’s assistant.

The 62-year-old previously led Rovers for five years after arriving in February 2017, then moved to Sunderland in August 2022 following Alex Neil’s switch to Stoke City.

He took the Black Cats into the Championship play-offs, where a semi-final defeat by Luton Town ended hopes of promotion to the Premier League.

Mowbray left Sunderland in early December 2023, later managing Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. His Blackburn return was confirmed on Friday.

Speaking on his comeback, Mowbray said it felt like returning to finish the job, with the aim of reaching the Premier League. He added that he feels full of energy, is eager to meet the squad and wants to make supporters proud.

Dodds worked alongside Mowbray at Sunderland and has publicly expressed strong admiration for his standards and the foundations he left after 15 months in charge. He is understood to be under consideration for a role at Ewood Park.

Source: Sunderland Echo