Exclusive: Shilen Patel questioned for "wrong" West Brom decision involving Tony Mowbray | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has given his verdict on Tony Mowbray's departure from West Brom

Lee Hendrie believes West Brom have made the wrong decision to part ways with Tony Mowbray.

The Baggies lost five of their last six games with the 61-year-old in charge prior to his dismissal earlier this week.

The final straw proved a 3-1 defeat to Derby County, which has left them six points adrift of the play-off places with only two games remaining.

It is unclear who will be in charge as the next permanent manager, with owner Shilen Patel hoping the next head coach can guide the club back to the top six in the Championship.

Lee Hendrie makes Mowbray sacking claim

Hendrie revealed his surprise at Mowbray’s sacking, suggesting that the timing was not right for this kind of decision.

He is unsure West Brom are heading in the right direction, warning that their ageing squad could pose some problems that will need to be addressed soon.

“I personally think it was the wrong call, to be honest,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“Timing-wise, it’s still really tight for that last couple of play-off spots.

“Obviously with Sheffield United going to be in there, and Sunderland have clarified that they are going to be the two play-off teams in there already.

“I mean, listen, you can get a bounce factor from someone coming in, but they’re going to have to find someone quickly.

“That’s the thing, I look at that football club and I feel like it’s been stood still for quite some time now, a lot of older players there, it’s an older squad.

“I know that they’ve tried to bring players in, but I don’t think sacking Tony was the right call whatsoever.

“I just feel they’re going to bring someone else in that has to really give them that bounce factor straight away to get them into the play-offs and potentially into the Premier League.

“But, getting to the Premier League, they’ve got to spend an absolute fortune to rebuild the squad they have there because there’s so many older heads there.

“So, I just don’t get it, I really don’t.

“I’m very surprised and shocked that they got rid of Mowbray.”

West Brom are currently 10th in the Championship table, and will face Cardiff City and Luton Town in their final two fixtures.

West Brom now need to think long-term

West Brom appointed Mowbray when Carlos Corberan departed in December, which was an unfortunate disruption to their campaign.

The 61-year-old was a safe pair of hands to bring in on short notice, and things were going well until the last few weeks and injuries hampered their form.

But owner Shilen Patel now has the opportunity to use the next few weeks to think about the long-term vision he has for the club.

The next managerial appointment has to be a good one as the Baggies are at risk of losing ground to their promotion rivals, with Hendrie's warning of going backwards being a very relevant one.