What Shilen Patel first said when West Brom appointed Tony Mowbray - It's simply not worked out | OneFootball

Tony Mowbray was dismissed as West Brom manager after a fifth loss in six games

Owner and chairman Shilen Patel has made the decision to part ways with Tony Mowbray as West Brom manager.

His return in January excited supporters, having guided the club to promotion to the Premier League in 2008.

The 61-year-old enjoyed previous stints at Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland and, briefly, Birmingham City prior to his return to the Hawthorns after an absence from the game due to illness.

It was hoped he could carry on the positive momentum the team had under Carlos Corberan, prior to his departure for Valencia in December, with the team chasing a top six finish in the Championship.

Shilen Patel’s Tony Mowbray appointment comments

When Mowbray was appointed in January, Patel was excited by Mowbray’s determination to achieve success with West Brom once again.

He was confident that the veteran coach could get the best from the squad, and was looking forward to seeing what he was capable of.

"Tony’s return is driven by the excellent head coach he is now and while I know he is proud of his previous time with the Albion, his desire to achieve new success shone through from our first meeting,” said Patel, via the club’s official website.

"Tony has a wealth of experience across British football and shares our vision for the football club.

“He truly cares about bringing the best out of players and instills determination and commitment in his teams.

"I am thrilled he is our new head coach, and we are excited to welcome him back to write a new chapter in his Baggies story with his unwavering desire to compete and win."

But just 17 games later and Mowbray has departed, with just five victories to his name and the club’s hopes of promotion all but gone.

Tony Mowbray’s return didn’t work for West Brom

Mowbray’s first stint in charge at the Hawthorns went extremely well, with West Brom achieving promotion by winning the Championship title.

His side earned 81 points, which was enough to claim first place in the table, but relegation back to the second tier followed in 2009.

However, he was unable to repeat that feat with a second stint with the Baggies, as they struggled for form in his final weeks in charge.

Of course, injury issues to the likes of Josh Maja didn’t help the situation, but five defeats in his last six games in charge led to it being an easier decision to part ways by the end of the campaign, with a home loss to Derby County proving the final straw.

West Brom had been in contention for a top six finish throughout the season, but the departure of Corberan was a blow to their hopes.

Mowbray was unable to live up to the Spaniard, who is now working in La Liga with Valencia.

Albion will now be searching for someone to replace the 61-year-old, with Patel’s aims being a push for a place back in the Premier League.

The Midlands outfit have been outside the top flight since their relegation in 2021, with Patel purchasing the club at the start of 2024.