'Blessed' Mowbray on beating cancer and Rovers return

Returning Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray says beating cancer has made him realise how lucky he is.

Mowbray is back at Ewood Park, four years after his first five-year spell, and says he has a new outlook on life after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2024.

He quit as Birmingham City manager as he underwent treatment and says he feels re-energised since being given the all-clear.

Mowbray has been re-appointed on a long-term contract by Blackburn and told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I didn't expect to get as ill as I did and spend so much time in hospital, having major operations and going through chemotherapy, but it's given me a new look on life.

"When I walk around the Christie Hospital in Manchester and see the hundreds of very, very seriously sick people with their bandanas on, with no hair and looking very frail, it makes me feel how lucky I am in life.

"I've got an amazing family, an amazing wife, three brilliant kids and all I've ever done in my life is play football and manage football teams.

"I feel really blessed, honoured, proud to be coming back to such an amazing football club. I've amazing memories here, had some great times and I want to try and bring them back if I can."

Mowbray, who had a second spell in charge of West Brom last year and has also managed Hibs, Celtic, Middlesbrough, Coventry, Sunderland and Birmingham, insisted he was not ready to retire at 62.