Breaking: West Brom sack Tony Mowbray after Albion fall away from Championship play-off fight

The Baggies have announced Mowbray has departed his post at The Hawthorns, just three months into a two-and-a-half-year contract.

West Brom’s 3-1 defeat to Derby County on Easter Monday, enough to keep them six points outside the Championship play-off positions with two games to play, was the manager’s final straw.

Mowbray, who made a romantic return in January 16 years after his first spell at the club came to an end, has left for a second time. When the 61-year-old rejoined Albion, he had only just been given the all-clear after recovering from the bowel cancer scare that had ended his time at Birmingham City prematurely.

It’s a great shame but Mowbray’s second - and now concluded - stint with Albion lasted 17 Championship matches and included eight defeats. Albion won just five of Mowbray’s games in charge, drawing the remaining four.

There was so much hope and belief when Mowbray came in to replace Carlos Corberan after a search that lasted nearly four weeks. The fanbase, reminiscing on Mowbray leading Albion to the 2007/08 Championship title, were hoping he’d be able to perform more magic.

It hasn’t turned out that way, however, with Mowbray unable to get the Baggies ticking. He was dealt a tough hand, in fairness, as there have been many injuries and suspensions and the squad isn’t suited to his strengths. Nonetheless, it’s a results business and Albion’s failure to reach the play-offs isn’t acceptable.

Albion chairman Shilen Patel was in attendance at The Hawthorns on Monday as what was left of the home support booed Mowbray and the players off the pitch. Patel may have been contemplating the decision before the Derby loss, and he certainly was during it, as he shared the news to Mowbray post-match.

It’s unclear whether Mowbray was told before he addressed the media, but he spent 30 minutes speaking to the press after the Derby defeat. There was a lot to unpack, including the club’s plans for the summer, a general look-ahead to next season and his feelings about the recruitment structure.

There was a strange feeling in the air throughout the press conference and an element of surprise that he was willing to address so many subjects he had previously refused to talk about. Perhaps he knew, perhaps he didn’t, but he certainly does now and he won’t have any further involvement at the football club.

A statement from Albion said: “The club would like to place on record its thanks to Tony and Mark for their efforts – but has made the decision to part company following a series of poor results.

“Tony and Mark will forever be welcome at The Hawthorns and their contributions to the club winning the 2007/08 Sky Bet Championship title will never be forgotten.

“Everyone at Albion wishes Tony and Mark all the very best in the future. James Morrison will oversee first-team affairs on an interim basis, assisted by Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill. The process of recruiting a new head coach is now underway.”

As mentioned, West Brom will immediately begin the process of hunting for Mowbray’s replacement. As Albion are now almost certainly going to miss out on a top-six finish, it will be a patient process.

Birmingham World will publish many of the quotes from Mowbray’s final press conference in due course.