The former Hibs boss has also managed Celtic, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland and more.
A former Hibs and Sunderland manager could be in line for a dramatic return to Blackburn Rovers.
Valerien Ismael has left his role as gaffer at the English Championship side on deadline day. The Frenchman has been under fire south of the border amid a run of one win in 14 matches, leaving Blackburn in the Championship relegation zone. No wins in eight have sparked a change and Rovers confirmed on deadline day that the head coach has exited Ewood Park alongside assistant manager Dean Whitehead.
It’s now claimed by Sky Sports that ‘Tony Mowbray and Slaven Bilic among the contenders to replace Valerien Ismael, who has left his role as Blackburn Rovers head coach.’ Mowbray was last at West Brom for a second stint after battling back from illness but left last year. He built his managerial stock in an impressive stint at Hibs between 2004-2006 before joining the Baggies, Mowbray also a popular figure at Sunderland and Blackburn, where he’s managed before.
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Why has Valerien Ismael left Blackburn Rovers?
Mowbray has also been gaffer at Celtic, Middlesbrough, Coventry City and Birmingham City, but could now jump into a relegation dogfight. Blackburn’s statement reads: “Valerien Ismael has today left his position as Blackburn Rovers’ Head Coach by mutual consent. Ismael joined the club in February 2025, however it has been mutually agreed that he will step away from his role with immediate effect, along with Assistant Head Coach Dean Whitehead.
“Blackburn Rovers would like to thank Valerien and Dean for their efforts during their time at the club and wish them both the very best for the future. The club will now begin the process of appointing a new Head Coach and will make no further comment until an appointment is confirmed.”
Mowbray said of his managerial return chances last summer after an exit from West Brom in 2025: "I made a conscious effort after the West Brom situation to go and enjoy the summer with my family and my three teenage boys. They had been badgering me to go back to Florida, as we have a house full of pictures of them at Disneyworld on all the rides.
Tony Mowbray on management return
"We're not long back from there and had an amazing time. After West Brom I wanted to spend that time with the family because you sacrifice a lot as a manager. The kids stay at their school and you go away to work while your wife looks after them. We went to Gleneagles to play some golf and I took the wife to Ibiza. Now the football season has started, I'm starting to get that itch.
"I live for football and family. People have said to me through my illness, 'are you going to retire Tony?' Retire - I don't know what that means.
“I love football and need to be around it. I watch too much of it! My wife asks me every morning, 'is there a match on the tele tonight'. I want to be involved in football and I still feel there is a managerial role left for me."
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