On April 21, 2025, West Bromwich Albion made the significant decision to dismiss their head coach, Tony Mowbray, marking the end of his second tenure with the club after just three months. The announcement followed a disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Derby County, a loss that effectively extinguished the Baggies’ hopes for a playoff spot in the Championship. Mowbray’s appointment had come with high expectations; however, the reality was that the team could only manage five victories in his eighteen matches at the helm, leaving them in a precarious position—six points adrift of the playoff slots.
Tony Mowbray, now 61 years old, had returned to manage West Brom after a lengthy absence from the club during which he had developed a solid coaching career. His reappointment came in January, nearly sixteen years after he left The Hawthorns for Celtic in 2009. Mowbray took over the role from Carlos Corberan, who had left to pursue a position at Valencia. Upon his arrival, Albion was ranked seventh in the Championship, yet despite promising beginnings, he couldn’t replicate past successes and now finds the club languishing in tenth position, with only two games remaining in the season.
Interestingly, while the club insisted that the decision to part ways was not taken lightly, the statement released acknowledged with gratitude the contributions Mowbray and his assistant Mark Venus had made during their respective tenures. Notably, Mowbray guided West Brom to its 2007-08 Championship title and was well-remembered for establishing a strong tactical framework during his earlier stint. However, the current campaign has proven challenging, particularly in light of an alarming decrease in form that saw the team lose five out of their last six matches—a statistic that was crucial to the decision to relieve him of his duties.
In the wake of Mowbray’s departure, James Morrison, a former West Brom midfielder, has taken the reins as interim manager, with assistance from Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill. This transitional period raises questions about the future direction of the club, as they search for their seventh permanent manager in less than six years—a clear indication of instability that has plagued West Brom since their last successful campaign.
Mowbray’s coaching journey has not been without its trials. He faced significant challenges, including a health scare just over a year prior, which involved a serious diagnosis of bowel cancer that forced him to step back from coaching Birmingham City. Regaining the strength to manage again was a welcome turn for him, but expectations from the fanbase and club ownership put immense pressure on this second stint. Despite inheriting a squad with prior momentum under Corberan, it became evident that the players struggled to adjust to Mowbray’s style, which sought a significant overhaul from the disciplined, tactical approach they had previously adopted.
Indeed, analysis from commentators suggested that Mowbray’s struggle was indicative of broader issues within the squad. He frequently modified line-ups in an attempt to discover the best combination of players, but the shifting strategies did not yield positive results. The players, it was argued, needed stronger direction and discipline, which had previously characterized their training under Corberan.
The club is now at a critical juncture. With the season concluding imminently, the decision-makers, particularly owner Guochuan Lai, are under pressure to appoint the right individual capable of re-establishing West Brom as a competitive force in the Championship and potentially returning to the Premier League. As prospects for a playoff revival dwindle, Mowbray’s exit serves as a stark reminder of the challenges prevalent in modern football management, where results often dictate the immediate futures of coaches, regardless of past glories.