Birmingham have confirmed that Tony Mowbray has decided to stand down as manager with immediate effect.

Mowbray took charge at St Andrew’s in January but announced the following month that he would be temporarily stepping away from his duties to receive medical treatment.

Gary Rowett returned to the dugout as interim boss for the last eight games of the campaign but was unable to keep the Blues in the Championship, with their relegation confirmed on the final day despite a 1-0 win against Norwich.

Mowbray was due to return to his role for the start of pre-season but has now decided to “focus on making a full recovery from his surgery and spending time with his family”.

He told the club website: “As people will be aware, I am currently undertaking a period of extended convalescence following significant and unexpected surgery earlier in the year which required that I take a period of medical absence.

“Throughout this period, I have watched every Birmingham City game along with every training session, whilst I have remained in positive and constructive dialogue with Tom Wagner, Garry Cook and Craig Gardner.

“Over the very recent days, it has become apparent to me that I will not be fully fit to resume my duties as manager of Birmingham City in the timescale that would allow the club to best prepare for the forthcoming season and therefore, I have regrettably decided to step away from my role at this time.

“Once I have fully recovered, it is important to me that I then spend some quality time with my wife and my boys before I fully commit to work.

“I am extremely grateful to Tom Wagner for the genuine warmth that he has shown towards me during what has been a challenging time, not only for me personally but also for the club. 

"I firmly believe that under Tom’s stewardship coupled with the football expertise that Garry offers, Birmingham City have a very bright future ahead."

The 60-year-old had spells in charge at Blackburn and Sunderland before heading to Birmingham earlier this year.

He added: “I would like to thank everybody associated with the club who has supported me during these unprecedented times, and I would like to especially thank the Birmingham City supporters for your affection, your kindness, and your support in the relatively short period of time I have been with the club.

"Whilst I step down as manager of Birmingham City, I now become a Blues fan and I wish everybody at the club nothing but absolute success in the future.

“Once I have fully recovered and have spent some quality time with my family, I intend to make a return to football management at the appropriate moment. I hope that the privacy of my family and I will be respected at this time. Thank you for your ongoing support."