Birmingham City have named Tony Mowbray as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Mowbray succeeds Wayne Rooney, who was sacked after just 83 days in the hot seat at St Andrew’s. He will be joined by long-serving assistant Mark Venus.

The former Rovers boss had only been out of the game for a month or so following his departure from Sunderland.

“I am excited to be joining Birmingham City at this time," he told the club's official website. 

"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."

Birmingham sit 20th in the Championship table and six points above the drop zone. The Blues drew 1-1 against Hull City in the FA Cup third round over the weekend.

Co-owner Tom Wagner explained: “Tony was the standout candidate in our search for a new manager.

"His knowledge of and passion for the game shone through. He shares our ambition and will bring stability at an important time for our great club.

"We received extremely positive feedback from everyone we spoke to about Tony. I am looking forward to seeing him working with the team and he will get the support needed to bring success to the club.”

Chief executive Garry Cook added: "Tony is a widely respected figure in the game and brings a wealth of Championship experience. He knows what it takes to be successful at this level.

"Tony has rightfully earned a reputation as a manager who delivers results, likes to play attractive football, and gives young players a chance.

"He is the right leader at the right time for our club and I know that our supporters will be right behind him and the team.”

Mowbray is now set to come up against his former club when Rovers head to St Andrew's on Tuesday, February 13.