Mowbray was relieved of his duties at Sunderland after 14 months back in December, bringing to an end a very enjoyable spell for the supporters.
Those supporters did not universally back his sacking, and even fewer were behind the decision when he was replaced by Michael Beale.
“For whatever reason, the club wanted to change. I accepted it,” Mowbray said.
“The ownership model is what it is. They wanted to make brave decisions. It is football, I understand it; Sunderland is a great club and the people of Sunderland are like me: honest, hard-working, grafters.”
In many ways, Mowbray owes his continued work in football to Sunderland. He was ready to retire after leaving Blackburn having grown disenfranchised with working away from home.
The Sunderland job allowed him to merge both his professional and personal lives, though, and that was important in re-energising him.
“Sunderland was the team down the road, and some Middlesbrough fans, including my 14-year-old son, found it difficult that I could [join them],” he explained.
“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.”
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