Mark Venus

{{infobox football biography

| name = Mark Venus

| image =

| fullname = Mark Venus{{Hugman|20151|access-date=8 April 2020}}

| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}{{cite book |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88 |editor-first=Peter |editor-last=Dunk |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=London |date=1987 |page=[https://archive.org/details/rothmansfootball00lond/page/210 210] |isbn=978-0-356-14354-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/rothmansfootball00lond/page/210}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|4|6|df=y}}

| birth_place = Hartlepool, England

| position = Defender

| currentclub = West Bromwich Albion (assistant manager)

| years1 = 1985 | caps1 = 4 | goals1 = 0 | clubs1 = Hartlepool United

| years2 = 1985–1988 | caps2 = 61 | goals2 = 1 | clubs2 = Leicester City

| years3 = 1988–1997 | caps3 = 287 | goals3 = 7 | clubs3 = Wolverhampton Wanderers

| years4 = 1997–2003 | caps4 = 148 | goals4 = 16 | clubs4 = Ipswich Town

| years5 = 2003–2004 | caps5 = 21 | goals5 = 0 | clubs5 = Cambridge United

| years6 = 2004 | caps6 = 5 | goals6 = 0 | clubs6 = → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)

| years7 = 2004 | caps7 = 0 | goals7 = 0 | clubs7 = Hibernian

| totalcaps = 526 | totalgoals = 24

| manageryears1 = 2006 | managerclubs1 = Hibernian (caretaker)

| manageryears2 = 2013 | managerclubs2 = Middlesbrough (caretaker)

| manageryears3 = 2016 | managerclubs3 = Coventry City (caretaker)

| manageryears4 = 2024 | managerclubs4 = Birmingham City (caretaker)

}}

Mark Venus (born 6 April 1967) is an English football coach and former player who was the assistant manager of {{English football updater|WestBrom}} club West Bromwich Albion. As a player, he spent the majority of his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town. As a coach, he has served as assistant to Tony Mowbray at Hibernian, West Bromwich Albion, Celtic, Middlesbrough, Blackburn, Sunderland and Birmingham City.

Playing career

His career started with his hometown team of Hartlepool United where he signed as a youngster in 1985. After a stay at Leicester City, he signed in 1987 for Wolverhampton Wanderers. Over nearly a decade at Molineux, Venus was an integral part of the club's resurrection after bankruptcy. Playing left back and, occasionally in his preferred position of central defence, Venus helped Wolves to Divisions Four and Three championships.

He joined Ipswich Town in 1997 after being exchanged for Steve Sedgley. With Ipswich Town he won the 1999–2000 First Division play-offs, and then finished 5th in the Premier League, qualifying for the UEFA Cup. Ipswich were relegated in 2001–02, but Venus picked up the club's Player of the Year award. He was given a free transfer by Ipswich Town manager Joe Royle at the end of 2002–03.

Whilst playing for Cambridge United in 2003–04, he fell out with the club and played the rest of that season on loan to Dagenham & Redbridge.

Coaching career

Venus was hired as Hibernian assistant manager by his former Ipswich Town teammate Tony Mowbray in 2004.{{cite news |title=Mowbray adds Venus to Hibs staff |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30153576.html |access-date=28 September 2020 |work=Irish Examiner |date=22 June 2014}} Venus also registered as a player for Hibs, but played in only one match before ending his playing career.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} Their contracts were extended in September 2006.{{cite news |title=New Hibs deal for manager Mowbray |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/5323912.stm |access-date=28 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=7 September 2006}}

Venus returned to the West Midlands in October 2006 by following Mowbray to West Bromwich Albion.{{cite news |title=Tony Mowbray extends West Bromwich Albion deal |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/tony-mowbray-extends-west-bromwich-albion-deal-rmcxjb28t36 |access-date=28 September 2020 |work=The Times |date=11 February 2008}} Their first game in charge was a Black Country derby against Wolves, where Venus had spent the bulk of his playing career.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} They had their contract extended until June 2011 in February 2008.

Venus was appointed Celtic assistant manager on 16 June 2009, again following Mowbray.{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Ewan |title=Tony Mowbray confirmed as new manager of Celtic |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/16/tony-mowbray-celtic-west-bromwich |access-date=28 September 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=16 June 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://celticfc.net/news/stories/news_160609145004.aspx |title=Tony Mowbray is new Celtic manager |access-date=16 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620065405/http://www.celticfc.net/news/stories/news_160609145004.aspx |archive-date=20 June 2009 }} After Mowbray was sacked as Celtic manager in March 2010, Venus and Peter Grant also left the club.

Venus was appointed assistant manager of Middlesbrough on 26 October 2010, working again with Mowbray.{{cite web|url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/articles/20101026/mowbray-is-new-boro-manager-_70638_2197173 |title=Mowbray Is New Boro Manager |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. official website |access-date=26 October 2010 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After Mowbray was sacked by Middlesbrough in October 2013, Venus was made caretaker manager. Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson commented that Venus was on the shortlist of candidates to be the next permanent manager.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24655962 |title=Steve Gibson: Mark Venus on Middlesbrough manager shortlist |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=25 October 2013 |access-date=25 October 2013}} On 25 October he led Middlesbrough to a 4–0 win over Doncaster Rovers.{{cite news |title=Middlesbrough 4-0 Doncaster Rovers |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/24576598 |access-date=28 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=25 October 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Mark Venus' tenure as caretaker manager came to an end on 13 November when Aitor Karanka was appointed as the new Middlesbrough head coach.{{cite web|title=Aitor Karanka: Middlesbrough name ex-Real Madrid man as boss|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24925713|publisher=BBC News|access-date=1 December 2013}}

Venus joined Coventry City in June 2015 as technical director.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ccfc.co.uk/team/staff-profiles/|title=Coventry City FC Staff Profiles|last=Connoll|first=Nick|website=www.ccfc.co.uk|access-date=19 October 2016}} After the resignation of Tony Mowbray on 29 September 2016 he was made caretaker manager.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37502741|title=Tony Mowbray: Coventry City manager resigns after 18 months in charge|date=29 September 2016|newspaper=BBC Sport|language=en-GB|access-date=19 October 2016}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37556916|title=Mark Venus: Coventry City caretaker boss says no time limit to finding the right man|date=5 October 2016|newspaper=BBC Sport|language=en-GB|access-date=19 October 2016}}

In June 2017, Venus was once again appointed assistant to Mowbray, taking charge of recently relegated League One club Blackburn Rovers. {{cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/15325994.blackburn-rovers-appoint-mark-venus-assistant-head-coach-tony-mowbray/|title=Blackburn Rovers appoint Mark Venus as assistant to head coach Tony Mowbray|publisher=Lancashire Telegraph|last1=Sharpe|first1=Rich|date=2 June 2017|accessdate=5 December 2023}} The duo guided the club straight back to the Championship, a 1–0 victory over Doncaster Rovers in April 2018 securing their promotion. {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43792160|title=Doncaster Rovers 0–1 Blackburn Rovers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 April 2018|accessdate=5 December 2023}} The duo departed the club at the end of the 2021–22 season. {{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2022/may/24/mark-venus-to-leave-rovers-role/|title=Mark Venus to leave Rovers role|website=www.rovers.co.uk|date=24 May 2022|accessdate=5 December 2023}}

In September 2022, he once again reunited with Mowbray, appointed his assistant head coach at Championship club Sunderland. {{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2022/august/mark-venus-appointed|title=Mark Venus signs up|website=www.safc.com|date=4 September 2022|accessdate=5 December 2023}} Following Mowbray's sacking in December 2023, Venus also departed the club. {{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2023/december/tony-mowbray-departs|title=Tony Mowbray departs|website=www.safc.com|date=4 December 2023|accessdate=5 December 2023}}

In January 2024, just a month after his Sunderland departure, he was back in football following Mowbray to Birmingham City as assistant manager.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67899139 |title=Tony Mowbray: Birmingham City name ex-Sunderland boss as manager |website=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2024 |access-date=8 January 2024}} After Mowbray temporarily stepped down for medical reasons on 19 February, Venus took over as caretaker,{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/tony-mowbray-requires-medical-treatment |title=Tony Mowbray requires medical treatment |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=19 February 2024 |access-date=19 March 2024 |quote=Assistant Manager, Mark Venus, will assume temporary responsibility for the team with immediate effect.}} and a month later, when Mowbray took formal medical leave and Gary Rowett came in as interim manager, Venus also took extended leave.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13097972/gary-rowett-returns-to-birmingham-on-interim-basis-as-tony-mowbray-takes-medical-leave-of-absence |title=Gary Rowett returns to Birmingham on interim basis as Tony Mowbray takes medical leave of absence |website=Sky Sports |date=19 March 2024 |access-date=20 March 2024}} Mowbray confirmed in May that he would not be returning to Birmingham,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0jjz9le4ypo |title=Mowbray steps down as Birmingham City boss |website=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2024 |access-date=21 May 2024}} and Venus left the club on 4 June.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/mark-venus-departs-blues |title=Mark Venus departs Blues |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=4 June 2024 |access-date=4 June 2024}}

Personal life

Two medals awarded to Venus were stolen during a break-in at his house in the Morningside area of Edinburgh on 29 December 2010.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-12105365 |title=Former footballer Mark Venus has medals stolen |date=2 January 2011 |access-date=3 January 2011 |publisher=BBC News}}

Managerial statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Nat !rowspan="2"\|From !rowspan="2"\|To !colspan="8"\|Record !rowspan=2\|{{abbr\|Ref\|Reference}}
{{Tooltip\|G\|Games managed}} !{{Tooltip\|W\|Games won}} !{{Tooltip\|D\|Games drawn}} !{{Tooltip\|L\|Games lost}} !{{Tooltip\|GF\|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip\|GA\|Goals against}} !{{Tooltip\|GD\|Goal difference}} !{{Tooltip\|Win %\|Winning percentage}}
align=left\|Hibernian (caretaker) \|Scotland \|align=left\|13 October 2006 \|align=left\|16 October 2006 {{WDL\|1\|0\|1\|0\|for=2\|against=2\|diff=yes}} \|{{cite web \|url=http://www.ihibs.co.uk/manager.php?id=31 \|title=Mark Venus manager details \|publisher=www.ihibs.co.uk \|access-date=13 October 2016}}
align=left\|Middlesbrough (caretaker) \|England \|align=left\|21 October 2013 \|align=left\|13 November 2013 {{WDL\|3\|1\|1\|1\|for=6\|against=3\|diff=yes}} \|{{cite web\|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1697&teamTabs=results\|title=2013–14 Middlesbrough Results\|publisher=Soccerbase\|access-date=13 October 2016}}
align=left\|Coventry City (caretaker) \|England \|align=left\|29 September 2016 \|align=left\|21 December 2016 {{WDL\|18\|8\|2\|8\|for=24\|against=27\|diff=yes}} \|{{cite web\|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=621&teamTabs=results\|title=2016–17 Coventry City Fixtures and Results\|publisher=Soccerbase\|access-date=13 October 2016}}
align=left\|Birmingham City (caretaker) \|England \|align=left\|19 February 2024 \|align=left\|19 March 2024 {{WDL\|6\|0\|1\|5\|for=5\|against=11\|diff=yes}} \|{{cite web \|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=291&season_id=156&teamTabs=results \|title=Birmingham Results 2023/24 \|website=Soccerbase \|publisher=Centurycomm \|access-date=20 March 2024}}
colspan=4 \| Total {{WDLtot\|28\|9\|5\|14\|for=37\|against=43\|diff=yes}} !—

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Managerial record by team and tenure

rowspan="2"|Team

!rowspan="2"|Nat

!rowspan="2"|From

!rowspan="2"|To

!colspan="8"|Record

!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}

!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}

!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}

!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}

!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}

!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}

!{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}

!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}

align=left|Hibernian (caretaker)

|Scotland

|align=left|13 October 2006

|align=left|16 October 2006

|{{cite web |url=http://www.ihibs.co.uk/manager.php?id=31 |title=Mark Venus manager details |publisher=www.ihibs.co.uk |access-date=13 October 2016}}

align=left|Middlesbrough (caretaker)

|England

|align=left|21 October 2013

|align=left|13 November 2013

|{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1697&teamTabs=results|title=2013–14 Middlesbrough Results|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=13 October 2016}}

align=left|Coventry City (caretaker)

|England

|align=left|29 September 2016

|align=left|21 December 2016

|{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=621&teamTabs=results|title=2016–17 Coventry City Fixtures and Results|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=13 October 2016}}

align=left|Birmingham City (caretaker)

|England

|align=left|19 February 2024

|align=left|19 March 2024

|{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=291&season_id=156&teamTabs=results |title=Birmingham Results 2023/24 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=20 March 2024}}

colspan=4 | Total

!—

Honours

Ipswich Town

Football League First Division play-offs: 2000{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/768682.stm |title=Ipswich triumph at last |publisher=BBC News |date=29 May 2000 |access-date=25 September 2019}}

Individual

Wolverhampton Wanderers Player of the Year: 1989–90{{cite news |title=Wolves Hero's Player of the Year |url=https://www.wolvesheroes.com/player-of-the-year/ |publisher=Wolves Hero's |access-date=14 May 2020}}
PFA Team of the Year: 1998–99 First Division{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The 1999–2000 Official PFA Footballers Factfile |year=1999 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=Harpenden |isbn=978-1-85291-607-7 |page=352}}
Ipswich Town Player of the Year: 2001–02{{cite news |title=Veno Player of the Year |url=https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/3133/veno-player-of-the-year |publisher=TWTD |date=29 April 2002 |access-date=25 March 2020}}