Birmingham identify three Rooney replacements and open talks with 60-year-old

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Birmingham City are in talks to appoint former Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray after the sacking of Wayne Rooney this week.

HITC Football understands that, after Rooney bit the bullet following a dismal run of nine defeats in 15 games, the Championship strugglers could turn to the safest pair of hands. Tony Mowbray, unlike the Manchester United legend, is as proven as they come at second tier level.

And Birmingham City have now opened discussions about a deal that would see a man sacked by Sunderland a month ago make an immediate return to a Championship dugout.

Birmingham City open Tony Mowbray talks

HITC has been informed that Paul Heckingbottom and Nathan Jones are also under consideration. Heckingbottom is also out of work, and guided Sheffield United to second-place in the division last season, promoted behind Burnley.

Nathan Jones is another option. Jones struggled badly at Southampton but laid the foundations for Luton Town’s remarkable promotion to the Premier League under Rob Edwards.

Mowbray, however, is currently the favourite to take over the reigns at St Andrew’s, even if a final decision has not yet been made. The 60-year-old is also keen on the Blues job.

Former Sunderland boss keen on Blues job

Mowbray, a Championship champion with West Brom back in 2008, has proven himself more than capable of building a side far greater than the sum of its parts at this level. His Blackburn Rovers side punched above their weight, as did a Sunderland team who reached the play-offs last term despite boasting one of the most inexperienced teams in the division. 

The veteran tactician has a superb track record when it comes to harnessing young talent too, Harvey Elliott, Jarrad Branthwaite and Amad Diallo thriving during loan spells at Ewood Park and the Stadium of Light.

One suspects Ethan Laird, Jordan James, Cody Drameh, Lee Buchanan and Jay Stansfield would have a lot to gain from Mowbray’s arrival at Birmingham.