Sunderland fans still adore Tony Mowbray, but they may well like him a little bit less come Saturday evening, if the West Brom boss inflicts defeat on the Black Cats.
Tony Mowbray lasted just over a year — and 65 matches — as Sunderland manager before being dismissed in December 2023, with the club sitting in ninth place in the Championship table.
After a brief spell with Birmingham City, and a severe health scare, the legendary manager is back in the game and looks to be guiding West Brom to a play-off spot this season.
While Sunderland may have one eye on those Championship play-off dates, given the fact they are almost guaranteed to finish fourth now, they do have a tough task on the horizon.
West Brom will be desperate to get another three points and consolidate their own place in the top six, and Mowbray may well want revenge on the Sunderland hierarchy, even if he’d never admit it.
What Tony Mowbray said after being sacked by Sunderland
Speaking to Sports Illustrated after he lost his job at the Stadium of Light, Mowbray was typically gracious and positive, and even admitted that he understood the decision despite the position he had the club in at that stage of the season.
He said: “For whatever reason, the club wanted to change. I accepted it. The ownership model is what it is. They wanted to make brave decisions. It is football, I understand it.”
Mowbray was full of praise for the club and the community, adding: “Sunderland is a great club and the people of Sunderland are like me: honest, hard-working, grafters.
“Sunderland was the team down the road, and some Middlesbrough fans, including my 14-year-old son, found it difficult that I could [join them].
| Date joined | Date left | Days in charge | Games | W | D | L | Points per game |
| Aug 30, 2022 | December 4, 2023 | 461 | 65 | 26 | 17 | 22 | 1.46 |
“My life-work balance was important. At Blackburn, I was two and a half hours away from my doorstep, seeing my kids grow up twice a week for five years.
“I made a call when the Sunderland job was offered; I could live at home, see my family every night, eat with them and, occasionally, take them to school. The rivalry of a local derby went out the window.”
All these years later, Sunderland fans still regard Mowbray as one of the best, and certainly most likeable managers to grace the club.
The decision to relieve Mowbray of his duties was an odd one at the time, and indeed, Michael Beale replacing him was even more questionable. But, thankfully, the club does appear to be heading in the right direction now, with some even praising Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ approach.
Tony Mowbray can spoil Sunderland’s season
We’re sure Sunderland fans are quietly excited about Mowbray’s return this weekend, even if he is in the opposing dugout.
But, make no mistake, as nice as Mowbray is, and regardless of how much he endeared himself to the Black Cats faithful, he will be gunning for all three points this weekend.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 39 | 26 | 7 | 6 | 56 | 29 | 27 | 83 |
| 2 |  LeedsLeeds | 39 | 23 | 12 | 4 | 78 | 27 | 51 | 81 |
| 3 |  BurnleyBurnley | 39 | 22 | 15 | 2 | 53 | 11 | 42 | 81 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 39 | 20 | 12 | 7 | 56 | 37 | 19 | 72 |
| 5 |  CoventryCoventry | 39 | 17 | 8 | 14 | 56 | 51 | 5 | 59 |
| 6 |  West BromWest Brom | 39 | 13 | 18 | 8 | 48 | 35 | 13 | 57 |
These final games for West Brom will be crucial, as they are hanging on to a play-off place by the skin of their teeth after the last-minute defeat to Norwich at the weekend.
This trip to the Hawthorns was always going to be tricky for Sunderland. But, the fact Mowbray needs to bounce back after that result, twinned with his innate desire to show the Sunderland owners what they let go, makes for a perfect storm that could very well leave the Mackems disappointed this weekend.