West Bromwich Albion: Tony Mowbray returns to Hawthorns as boss
Analysis by BBC Radio WM’s Steve Hermon
It was a real emotional payoff for one of the most respected men in English football. They called this person “Mogga.”
Just 11 months ago, Mowbray had to step down as Birmingham City manager due to health reasons after winning three of his first six league games in charge.
Without him, the Blues continued to be relegated to League One, by which time Mowbray had retired completely, before revealing to BBC Tees that he had undergone surgery for bowel cancer.
But he also said in the same interview that he would eventually like to return to work and his re-election will be filled with nostalgia for Albion fans who fondly remember the positive side of the team under him at The Hawthorns Play style.
It was also an eventful period in the club’s modern history. Two Wembley appearances, both defeats 1-0. Defeated by Derby County in the Championship play-off final in May 2007Then FA Cup semi-finals Portsmouth 11 months later.
However, just a month later, Mowbray’s Albion were promoted back to the Premier League, defeating this weekend’s visiting team Stoke City to win the championship.
After one season in the top flight and relegation, Mowbray left to join Celtic in 2009.
He has now gone on to manage five more spells at hometown club Middlesbrough, Coventry City, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland and the Blues.
They say you should never go back, but you can’t deny the good feeling of returning to one of his favorite football ‘homes’.
He is one of the good guys in football but he is also an experienced coach who knows everything about this division and what it takes to get to the top flight.
Only time will tell if this heartwarming story also has a fairy tale ending.
