Mowbray Returns to Blackburn Rovers, Ready to Face the Challenge
August 13, 2026 ·
Tony Mowbray expressed delight at his return to Blackburn Rovers, revealing he turned down several offers before accepting the role. He also reflected on his recovery from cancer and the challenges that lie ahead for the team.
Mowbray Returns to Blackburn Rovers, Ready to Face the Challenge
According to Sports.
Background
Tony Mowbray previously served as manager of Blackburn Rovers from 2017 to 2022, where he succeeded in bringing the team to promotion from League One. It is hoped that Mowbray's return will have a positive impact on the team's performance in the Championship, especially after the experiences and challenges he faced during his recovery from illness.
Why this is important
Tony Mowbray's return to Blackburn Rovers brings new hope to a team that has just survived in the Championship. With previous successful experience, Mowbray is expected to return the team to form and improve their position in the league. The 2-1 victory over Burton Albion was a positive first step in this season's journey.
Main Points
- Mowbray Returns to Blackburn Rovers, Ready to Face the Challenge.
- Tony Mowbray expressed delight at his return to Blackburn Rovers, revealing he turned down several offers before accepting the role.
- 'An amazing club' - Mowbray joy at Rovers return.
Tony Mowbray returned to Blackburn Rovers as coach after previously serving from February 2017 to May 2022. Mowbray's return to the club he already knows well was greeted with enthusiasm, especially after he managed to recover from his colon cancer. In a recent interview, Mowbray revealed that he felt "really excited" to return to football and admitted that he turned down "four or five offers" before finally choosing to return to Ewood Park last June.
Mowbray kicked off his new coaching career with a 2-1 win over Burton Albion in his first competitive match. Now, he is preparing for the Championship opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday. During his recovery period, Mowbray has felt a great longing for football. He revealed, "When I walk on the beach with my dog, I think 'I really miss football'. This is what I always do."
Mowbray started his career at Blackburn in 2017 with the team in a very difficult position, namely 23rd in the Championship, and unable to save the team from relegation. However, in the following season, he managed to bring Rovers promotion from League One. After that, his team managed to finish in the middle position for three consecutive seasons before reaching eighth place in the 2021-2022 season, just missing out on the playoffs. After leaving the club in the summer of 2022, Mowbray has now returned to Blackburn who only managed to stay in the Championship with 20th place, thanks to a points deduction from the other two teams.
"It's a big job," Mowbray said. "We lost a few players from last season, and the team is not as strong as before. The team needs more goals and a little more magic – players who can break through the opponent's defense and score goals. We have to turn a lot of draws into wins. I feel I can give confidence to the players."
While not expecting Rovers to immediately compete for promotion, Mowbray took inspiration from Hull City who achieved promotion after narrowly missing out on relegation. "I want to improve the team and make fans believe that we can look up, not just look back," he added. Mowbray also shared his experience of battling cancer, which gave him a new zest for life. "I can't live my life waiting three or six months, hoping everything is OK; I live each day and get on with it. Football has always been a driving force in my life – it's what I love.
"The call came from a club that believed in me, and I could trust them to give me freedom in this job. This club feels right for me, and I hope the fans come to the games, see a team that tries to win every game, score more goals and give them more fun."
What happened next
After the win against Burton Albion, Blackburn Rovers will prepare to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship opener. This will be an important test for Mowbray and his team to show that they are ready to compete at Championship level. The results of this match will provide an early idea of their season prospects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current coach of Blackburn Rovers?
The current coach of Blackburn Rovers is Tony Mowbray.
What was the result of Blackburn Rovers' match against Burton Albion?
Blackburn Rovers won 2-1 over Burton Albion.
What position are Blackburn Rovers currently in the Championship?
Blackburn Rovers are currently in 20th position in the Championship.
Who will Blackburn Rovers face in their next match?
Blackburn Rovers' next match will be Wolverhampton Wanderers.
When will Blackburn Rovers play Wolverhampton Wanderers?
Blackburn Rovers will play Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.