FORMER Ipswich Town captain and coach Tony Mowbray has been named the new manager of Middlesbrough.

The 46-year-old, who grew up just 12 miles east of Middlesbrough and captained Boro during a 10-year spell as a player, will be assisted by his former Town team-mate Mark Venus.

It means he has now managed all three of the clubs he represented during his 18-year playing career, Mowbray having temporarily managed Ipswich after Joe Royle left the club, while more recently he had nine months in charge of Celtic.

Middlesbrough have called a press conference for 3.30pm to unveiled their new boss.

Sacked by Celtic in March, Mowbray has also had spells in charge of West Brom and Hibernian and takes over at Middlesbrough following Gordon Strachan’s departure last week.

Boro currently lie third from bottom in the Championship having won only three games all season. The north east side have failed to win in their last six Championship outings and have managed just one point from their seven away games so far this season.

– Born in nearby Saltburn, the central defender became Middlesbrough’s club captain at 22 years old. Became a legend at the north eats club for being the local lad who led the club from liquidation back to the top-flight of English football. Made almost 350 appearances for Boro between 1982 and 1991.

– Signed by Scottish giants Celtic in 1991 for �1m and made 78 appearances over four years.

– Brought to Portman Road by George Burley in 1995. Over the next five years he became team captain and a firm fans’ favourite. Retired from playing following the 4-2 play-off final victory over Barnsley in 2000 which took Town to the top-flight.

– After hanging up his boots Mowbray became first team coach at Ipswich and the had a brief spell as caretaker manager following the sacking of Burley in 2002 and prior to the appointment of Joe Royle.

– His first full managerial role came at Scottish side Hibernian in 2004 where he gained much acclaim. Won the Scottish Football Writers’ Association manager of the year award in his first season and then led Hibs to top four finishes in his only two full seasons in charge.

– In 2006 he was interviewed for the vacant Ipswich Town position, but withdrew his interest before Jim Magilton got the job.

– Appointed manager of Championship club West Brom in October 2006, replacing Bryan Robson following his relegation from the Premier League the previous season. After finishing fourth in the table, The Baggies beat rivals Wolves in the play-off semi-finals before losing 1-0 to Derby in the final.

– Mowbray made huge personnel changes at The Hawthorns that summer, selling a number of high profiles players and replacing them shrewdly to make an overall profit. Lauded for his attacking brand of football, Mowbray not only led his side to the Championship title, but also the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

– Mowbray continued to stick to his attacking principles the following season, but this approach was suddenly labelled naive as his side finished rock-bottom of the Premier League.

– Celtic agreed a compensation fee of �2m with West Brom to make Mowbray their manager that summer, with fellow ex-Ipswich defender Mark venus joining him on the coaching staff.

– After a great start back north of the border, results quickly tailed off for Mowbray. He made numerous changes in the January transfer window, but after falling well behind rivals Rangers in the title chase he was sacked in March.