Tony Mowbray closing in on emotional return to old club after bowel cancer all-clear
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Tony Mowbray is poised to take charge at West Bromwich Albion for a second time after receiving the go-ahead to return to work following his bowel cancer diagnosis. Mowbray, 61, stepped away from his job at Birmingham City last May following a leave of absence for medical reasons. He then shared his bowel cancer diagnosis later in the year.
The former Middlesbrough chief has made no secret of his desire to return to the dugout, though. And after being given the green light to return to work by medical staff and the League Managers' Association, he's now in line for an emotional return to the Hawthorns, where he managed for three years between 2006 and 2009.
West Brom have turned to Mowbray after seeing negotiations with former Young Boys boss Raphael Wicky collapse last week. And as outlined by The Telegraph, Mowbray and the Baggies are now in advanced talks, with a deal for him to take charge of the club he guided to the Championship title back in 2008 edging ever closer.
Bringing Mowbray back to the Hawthorns some 15-and-a-half years after his departure would be regarded as a coup for West Brom given his body of work in the Championship. The Baggies have been without a manager for three weeks after Carlos Corberan was lured away by Valencia over the Christmas period. Mowbray was considered for the role alongside Wicky, who was poised to take over before a breakdown in talks.
Once it became clear that Wicky would not be succeeding Corberan, talks were revived with Mowbray, who will be looking to guide West Brom to a top-six finish. Chris Brunt, the veteran midfielder signed by Mowbray during his previous spell in charge, has been leading the team in an interim capacity and is likely to be incorporated into Mowbray's backroom staff once a deal is finalised.
