I’LL BLUE IT MY WAY

New Brum boss and Sinatra fan Mowbray insists he’ll have control

TONY MOWBRAY struck a blow for old-school managers as he breezed into Birmingham City, saying: “I’ll do it my way.”

The Frank Sinatra-loving veteran boss said he will have the final say on playing matters at St Andrew’s after remembering a piece of advice from Sir Alex Ferguson (below).

Mowbray, 60, revealed he turned down offers as he planned a break in New York with his wife but could not refuse when Brum’s co-owner, Tom Wagner, outlined his vision.

But after being stung by off-field problems in his previous job at Sunderland, Mowbray was going to make sure he was the Old Blue-Eyed boy with regards to playing matters.

He said: “The ownership model of a lot of clubs is dictating control.

“You have sporting directors and different tiers of leadership.

“It feels almost as if the manager is now the head coach. While you have one of them, you have a head of medical, a head of performance and a head of science.

“If you are a head coach, you feel sometimes that you have the same importance as them. I’m a big believer that the manager should oversee those heads of departments.

“It’s important the players know the power the manager has. If the manager isn’t getting results, then the manager loses his job. It’s the industry we’re in. But he has to be able to make the final decision. I remember Sir Alex Ferguson coming into my office at West Brom while the players were warming up. I was asked, ‘What do you think about sports science?’

“He said: ‘You have to go with the flow. But you never compromise on control. You must have control – to make sure those players know you can make or break their careers.

“‘They must know you have their careers in your hand.’

“Since then, it’s been diluted. But I’ve been given assurances at this club that I’m going to have a heavy say in what goes on because it’s the team that matters.”

Mowbray rejected several offers to return to the dugout – but an “exciting” call from Wagner reignited his desire.

He added: “I couldn’t help but be impressed by the drive and enthusiasm he had and where he wants to take the club.

“I’ve been in football a long time and Birmingham City is a big-city club. It’s the second-biggest city in the country and the heartbeat of it.

“I wanted to help this club on their journey. And I know what people say. I’m aware of my own persona, ‘Tony Mowbray, a bit dour, getting on a bit’...

“Well, I don’t think so. I’m pretty enthusiastic when I’m out on the grass. When I’m singing and I’m out with the lads like I was this morning.

“I was in a group of 25 of them. They worked hard. They listened.

“They understand and they want to be a part of it.”