[Aztech]

Will be interesting to see if our attacking players flourish under Mowbray. Not the same manager as he was 16 years ago but I can see Johnston, fellows, Diangana and even swift causing opposition massive problems. Exciting times

John Swift is a Mowbray type player, soft feet!

[Blowee]

A whole month to only end up with Mowbray is extremely underwhelming.

I am still not sold on taking him back at all.

He’s almost certainly the best that the board thought they could do. Not at all their vision for the club when they took over but perhaps the reality of running a Championship Club in our position has hit them. He’s a good honest football man and will be a very safe pair of hands. Whether he’ll take us forward is debatable but hopefully we will at least be stable under Mowbray. If the football is as good as the last time there’ll be no complaints from me.

[baggies_24]

I think under the circumstances Mowbray is the best man we can get for the job currently and I think he’l help guide us through a transition phase whilst we look to shift off the likes of Swift & Wallace and bring through young & promising players similar to what he did at Sunderland.

I think fans need to remember though this team is a far cry away from the one he last inherited here in the championship, hopefully the expectation isn’t that he’s going to take us up this season based on his past success here. What I’d give to have Koumas, Gera, Koren & Super Kev back playing today.

[Standaman]

I am pleased that it looks likely that Mowbray will return. While we know being in talks is not the same as being appointed I think Mowbray wants the job and Nestor is probably under a bit of pressure to make an appointment so I would imagine a deal will be done.

He is not the same coach that left 16 years ago too many tough gigs not to develop a more pragmatic streak but his teams always try to play attacking football and generally are better than the sum of their parts.

Looking forward to welcoming him back to the Hawthorns.

[KingKoren]

If anyone hasn't watched the two hour interview with him the other day I would encourage them to do so. It was a great watch.

Forget sentimentality, he has all the credentials to be a great appointment by right. 

Hoping it works out for everyone involved

[The Black Pearl]

If confirmed, I'll be very underwhelmed, never go back, Ill support him but, not pleased.

[LiamTheBaggie]

I haven’t seen much negativity to reappointing him so it is an appointment that galvanises the fan base and has us singing from the same hymn sheet.

Not expecting miracles to happen overnight but looking forward to the summer to see us rebuild in a similar fashion to 07/08.

[TAFKATMNo1Fan]

Sky bet have suspended betting on Mowbray being our next manager

[BAGGIE5]

if you’re underwhelmed, i understand and i get it.

But If we ignore the name and his previous post here. Just think of what hes done as a manager. He has every right to be in the reckoning.

Im not underwhelmed, looking forward to it. As much as i love carlos and supported him. it was getting boring. This is different 😀

[BB74]

This must be the first new manager search that McInnes and Appleton haven’t been mentioned in 15 years perhaps?

[TAFKATMNo1Fan]

This must be the first new manager search that McInnes and Appleton haven’t been mentioned in 15 years perhaps?

Spot on 

[tex]

If the news that Mowbray is coming back is correct let's hope it is in time for the next three fixtures. The owner should have learned from this episode.

[bradleysrocket]

Sky bet have suspended betting on Mowbray being our next manager

Only briefly while they reformed the market. Back up at odds of 1/7 now.

[WBA]

First I saw an official journo tweet it was Percy

Yes but he only said advanced negotiations, not that he'd got the job or been given a contract to sign. The advanced negotiations exposed the various backroom team issues, so the due process did its job.  No offer accordingly. 

[WBA]

I don't know about Bilkul, but this is becoming like an episode of Sgt Bilko.

But without the laughs!

[liverbaggie]

In our current situation I can't think of a better fit.
He gets WBA.
He's experienced and always plays attacking football.
He will be respected by the players.
He has Brunty & Mozza who he will trust if necessary
Perfect to steer us through our rebuild of team and club
I welcome Tony back

[WBA]

He got it wrong last time though, clearly not ITK!

Was he wrong?  He simply said we were in advanced negotiations, but it broke down for some rather feeble reasons. Goalkeeping Coach couldn't get a visa?? 

No, it is Wicky who has been left with egg on his face due to his slap-dash application/approach and not ensuring he had all his ducks in a row. 

[WBA]

In our current situation I can't think of a better fit.
He gets WBA.
He's experienced and always plays attacking football.
He will be respected by the players.
He has Brunty & Mozza who he will trust if necessary
Perfect to steer us through our rebuild of team and club
I welcome Tony back

Excellent post.  I'm intrigued as to what he might do with the players we have and maybe he'll get a tune out of Diangana and Swift and excited as to who we will bring in by 3rd February.......plenty of time left.   The first name that came to mind was Ross Stewart but I believe he's injured and has had a succession of injuries, not as serious as Dike but one after the other, so probably a no-go. 

[BaggiePhil]

I think Mowbray is an excellent choice. It's Nestor who has to prove himself to me. If he can give Mowbray the right players then I have no doubt that Mowbray will deliver as good attack minded team.

[Aixelsyd]

In our current situation I can't think of a better fit.
He gets WBA.
He's experienced and always plays attacking football.
He will be respected by the players.
He has Brunty & Mozza who he will trust if necessary
Perfect to steer us through our rebuild of team and club
I welcome Tony back

He signed both of them

and I agree he is a great fit for us now.


I'm also trying to remember did he bring in his own backroom staff when he first arrived in 2006?

[Baggies]

Personal preference was to continue down the path of the modern, training ground coach route, similar to Corberan.

Nervous that Mowbray is not quite the man for what we now need, concerned his style of play might not be an exact fit to the squad and nervous of going back and tainting his first reign.

All of that is over powered though by the fact that ever since his name was first mentioned, i've been excited by the idea of his return. Forget the doubts I have, the romantic in me wants my favourite WBA manager to come back home for a second spell.

[Standaman]

Mark Venus is his long-term assistant and he has worked with him at every club since Hibs. I would fully expect Venus to return along with Mowbray but as for the rest of the coaching staff I don't think there is a team Mowbray.

[Mo]

Was he wrong?  He simply said we were in advanced negotiations, but it broke down for some rather feeble reasons. Goalkeeping Coach couldn't get a visa?? 

No, it is Wicky who has been left with egg on his face due to his slap-dash application/approach and not ensuring he had all his ducks in a row.

As another poster said regarding Wicky that YouTube video where he is mic’d up made me feel unsure about him I couldn’t see the points he was trying to make to the players and I don’t think they could either . Glad we swerved that one .

[hardtobeat]

Delighted Mowbray seems set to become the anointed one.
Concerned over what seems a huge change of direction by owners in a short space of time
Hope the owners don't just see it as a sop to the supporters after the farcical events with Wicky !
Welcome back Tony ( I hope) !!

[LiamTheBaggie]

Concerned over what seems a huge change of direction by owners in a short space of time

Is it a huge change of direction?

This is a much more pragmatic Mowbray than the 40 year old we had 18 years ago.

I am much more content with his period at Blackburn than Sunderland when you consider the owenrship he worked under there. Blackburn is often in turmoil and he managed that successfully so I would hope he can acheive the same here as we begin our rebuild.