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Birmingham City boss Tony Mowbray says he respects Sunderland's decision to sack him as he prepares to face his former club on Saturday.

Mowbray, 60, left Wearside in December after 15 months in charge, having won just two of his last nine games, to be replaced by Michael Beale.

Despite a backlash from supporters after his exit, Mowbray holds no grudges against the Sunderland board.

"For whatever reason, the club wanted to change. I accepted it," he said.

"The ownership model is what it is. They wanted to make brave decisions. It is football, I understand it.

"Sunderland are a great club and the people of Sunderland are like me: honest, hard-working grafters."

Mowbray was born in Middlesbrough before going on to captain and manage the club. He admitted some fans, and family members, could not understand why he took the job at Championship side Sunderland, but he did it to be close to home.

"Sunderland were the team down the road, and some Middlesbrough fans, including my 14-year-old son, found it difficult.

"My life-work balance was important. At Blackburn, I was two and a half hours away from my doorstep, seeing my kids grow up twice a week for five years.

"I made a call when the Sunderland job was offered. I could live at home, see my family every night, eat with them and, occasionally, take them to school. The rivalry of a local derby went out the window."

Since his arrival at Blues, Mowbray has won three of his seven games in all competitions.