As far as former Sunderland managers go, there’s been some incredibly unpopular ones over the years. But at the other end of the scale, Tony Mowbray was, and remains, about as popular as they get.
Tony Mowbray arrived at Sunderland soon after Alex Neil left for Stoke City in 2022. The experienced Championship boss went on to guide Sunderland to a top six finish in the 2022/23 campaign, their first back in the second tier, before being sacked in December 2023.
The 61-year-old then had a brief stint in charge of Birmingham City from January 2024 through to the February. But he had to step back due to illness. Since making his recovery, Mowbray wants a return to management.
He remains a decorated and experienced manager, especially at Championship level. He’s overseen 870 games as a manager and has won promotion from both the Championship and League One, with West Brom and Blackburn Rovers respectively.
Now, it looks like Mowbray is poised to make his return to the dugout.
Tony Mowbray in talks over West Brom return
Sunderland’s top six rivals West Brom are currently managerless. Carlos Corberan left for Valencia in December and former Sunderland target Raphael Wicky was in talks with West Brom, before his move to The Hawthorns fell through.
Now though, John Percy of The Telegraph reports that Mowbray is ‘in line for an emotional return to West Brom’ after holding talks on Thursday. Percy adds that the deal ‘could be confirmed before the weekend’, when the Baggies take on Stoke City in an evening kick off on Saturday.
Mowbray was previously West Brom manager between October 2006 and June 2009. He oversaw 140 total games and boasted a win record of 40.71%, lifting the Championship title in 2008.
Percy posted on X: “Tony Mowbray in line for an emotional return to West Brom after detailed talks on Thursday. Appointment could be confirmed before the weekend if negotiations continue to progress. Would be a brilliant appointment and so good to see him back.”
The race for Championship promotion with West Brom rivalling Sunderland
Sunderland fans will certainly be glad to see Mowbray back in the game. But they’ll also be hoping that his West Brom side don’t get in the way of their promotion push this season.
As things stand, Sunderland sit in 4th place of the Championship table and are just three points behind leaders Leeds United. West Brom are in 7th but a whole 10 points behind the Black Cats.
Sunderland take on 2nd place Burnley in a real crunch match on Friday night. Should Mowbray take charge at West Brom, then he’ll face Sunderland at The Hawthorns on April 5th.
| 4 | Sunderland | 26 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 39 | 22 | 17 | 50 |
| 5 | Blackburn | 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 31 | 23 | 8 | 42 |
| 6 | Middlesbrough | 26 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 43 | 32 | 11 | 41 |
| 7 | West Brom | 26 | 9 | 13 | 4 | 32 | 21 | 11 | 40 |