Former Celtic boss re-appointed as West Brom manager

The Celtic Star

·18 January 2025

Former Celtic boss re-appointed as West Brom manager

Former Celtic manager Tony Mowbray is back in football and back to the Hawthorns to take charge at West Bromwich Albion…

03 01 2010 Coach Tony Mowbray of Celtic . Photo IMAGO

And the former Celtic central defender will now work with another former Celt in Mikey Johnson who signed for West Brom for Celtic in the summer for a fee of around £3.5m.

OneFootball Videos

Mowbray left his job at Birmingham due to a cancer scare and now that he’s been give the all clear the vastly experienced manager took no time at all to get himself back into work doing what he does best.

Mowbray signs two-and-a-half-year deal with West Brom

The 61-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and will take charge of his first game when the Baggies travel to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

Chris Brunt will oversee the Sky Bet Championship clash against Stoke City at The Hawthorns this afternoon, with Mowbray observing from the stands.

Celtic’s manager, Tony Mowbray watches his team play against Hamburg during their UEFA Europa League, Group C, football match at Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, on October 22, 2009. Photo GRAHAM STUART/AFP via Getty Images)

Mowbray is a highly respected coach and leader, having previously guided Albion to the 2007/08 Championship title, before enjoying successful tenures at several EFL clubs. The experienced boss, who has overseen more than 800 professional fixtures, returns to The Hawthorns with long-time assistant Mark Venus.

‘This is a club I’ve got great affection for’

“This is a club I’ve got great affection for. It’s a club I care for, it’s a club I followed before and after my previous time as manager. It’s a club where it’s always been special whenever I returned with other teams,” Mowbray told the official WBA website.

“It’s a real family football club and that’s why I had the discussions with the ownership. I’m so excited to be walking back through the doors and helping the team.

Tony Mowbray Celtic Manager, Falkirk v Celtic at the Falkirk Stadium on 08 November 2009. Photo Allstar/Michael Mayhe IMAGO

“I would like to thank Chairman Shilen Patel, Sporting Director Andrew Nestor and all involved in bringing me back for providing me with a second opportunity to manage this great club. I like the setup of the club, I like the people. In my discussions with them they were very humble, there was no arrogance, just good people who want to succeed.

‘A lot has changed since my first time here’

“A lot has changed since my first time here, but the club feels like its back on the rise. The one thing I know won’t have changed is the supporters – and I can’t wait to rekindle my excellent relationship with them.

“I’m ready to relish the challenge again. It’s a new challenge. I know I’ve been here before, but it’s a new challenge, a new time, a new era for me at the football club.”

Mikey Johnston of West Bromwich Albion during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City at The Hawthorns on February 13, 2024 (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Best of luck to Tony

Best of luck to Tony and hopefully he can get the best out of Mikey Johnston and help West Brom reach their target of getting back into the Premier League. West Brom are currently seventh in the table and in a decent place to at least challenge for the play-offs.

We're delighted to confirm the appointment of Tony Mowbray as men's first team Head Coach! 🫡 Welcome back to the Albion, Tony! 💙🤍
– Friday, 17 January 2025