Tony Mowbray speaks on return as West Brom head coach and getting all-clear from cancer

Tony Mowbray opens up on his return as West Brom head coach and now recovering after getting the all-clear from bowel cancer.

West Bromwich Albion have reappointed the 61 year old as their boss – almost 16 years after he left The Hawthorns to take up the job at Celtic in June 2009.

He returns to management for the first time since February 2024, after he sadly had no choice but to step away as Birmingham City manager as he had treatment for what was later revealed to be bowel cancer.

But he’s been given the all-clear, and comes in to West Brom, signing a two-and-a half-year deal, for the permanent replacement to Carlos Corberan who left the Baggies for Valencia.

We’re delighted to confirm the appointment of Tony Mowbray as men’s first team Head Coach! 🫡

Welcome back to the Albion, Tony! 💙🤍

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) January 17, 2025

Tony said: “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.

“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.

“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, 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.

“The first time I was here was a great time and I hope to again assemble a team that plays positive football, providing the fans with great memories of winning football games.

“I hope that now I’ve come back that we can get back to where the supporters, team, club and owners want to be, which is in the Premier League – and that will be our focus.

“There is lots of quality in the squad with a good mix of youth and experience. It’s my job to get the best out of it. I certainly have the same drive and determination to do so.

“We’re going to attack, we’re going to be positive, we’re going to go and play and hopefully get the fans out of their seats and win some games.

“The starting point is a good one, we’re not scrambling to get away from anything. We’ve got a great opportunity and chance to compete towards the top end of the table.

“Six months ago I was told I’d no cancer in my body. On Tuesday, again it was clear. Everything’s good, get on with it. I have no hesitation. I’m ready. I want to influence a team again, meet young footballers, make them better. I’m energised.”

New #WBA head coach Tony Mowbray… pic.twitter.com/s0m9LmGOsf

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) January 17, 2025

"It's been like an avalanche of love coming my way."

After announcing he was cancer-free a few days ago, Tony Mowbray speaks upon his return to management (for a second spell at West Brom) on the support he received from those in football during treatment for bowel cancer ❤️ pic.twitter.com/F7PMfJrthW

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 20, 2025

On his return to health, Tony said: “I’ve been given the all-clear from the doctors after scans earlier this week and I’m full of energy, full of vibrancy and ready to go and do what I feel I do best.

“The bottom line for me is that health-wise, I’ve had a tough year. I couldn’t sit here and say it was a good experience to go through, but it’s been a life experience for me.

“There’s been low moments and sad moments with the family, but it’s been an experience that I look back at in my life and I’m incredibly grateful I’ve come through the other side.

“There’ll be no lack of energy from me, I’m ready to go. I’ve had a year of lying in a hospital bed getting driven back and forth twice a week for treatment.

“I’m full of energy again. People who know me well say that I’m back. Bring it on.”

Talking to The Athletic, he recalls the moment his found out about his cancer diagnosis and enduring a year of emotional anxiety and physical agony.

When in hospital Mowbray, he saw the tears in his children’s eyes “not knowing whether I was going to live”. Now he prepares to take the reigns at West Brom.

“Sitting here, I’m very, very good,” he said. “I’ve no discomfort anywhere. I can go shopping with the wife in Leeds, I can pick the kids up from school. I can have a coffee with Pally (Gary Pallister) as I did this morning. I’m living a normal life.

“I’m back in the gym every morning except Sunday, when I give myself a break. I’m doing weights, abdominals, strengthening. I walk for an hour on the beach. I feel good. My voice is back, you can’t shut me up.

“Six months ago I was told I’d no cancer in my body. On Tuesday, again it was clear. Everything’s good, get on with it. I have no hesitation, I’ve got the energy for it. I know I’m ready. I’m burning. I want to influence a team again, meet young footballers, make them better. I’m pretty relaxed, but it’s burning in here and Amber, my wife, knows that.

“I’ve got 40 years of football knowledge to impart, hopefully, to young players to help create an environment in a stadium that people want to go to. My wife and I went on holiday to the Maldives just to draw a line under the treatment. I feel great, the treatment’s finished.

“I’m energised.”

On his time and departure from Birmingham: “I think Birmingham were happy with how I’d started. And then this happened.

“Everything was good, but I had a colonoscopy and they found it there and then. In the doctor’s opinion, it looked cancerous, which was the first time I’d heard the word.

“I drove home from Manchester. I’d to tell my wife first. ‘What are we going to do?’, ‘How are we going to deal with this?’. Medical people don’t go through every detail, I didn’t really know what was coming. They had to book an operation first.

“I had to leave Birmingham City. I did tell them I’d watch games and watch training on my laptop — and I did. But I’d a 10-hour operation a couple of weeks after.”

On surgery, where he had 15cm of bowel removed and also struggled to eat or drink: “I had a stoma attached after the operation on the part of the bowel where there was a cancerous tumour. A year ago I wouldn’t have known what a stoma was. Now I do.

“They bring your bowel out through your stomach (stoma) and attach a plastic bag. All of your human waste goes into your bag. It’s mainly liquid. You have lots of medication to try to make it more solid, otherwise you have diarrhoea all day. You are… the best word is wasted.

“You are totally dehydrated, no energy. I remember standing up in the shower and it was too much. I had to sit down. I was just worn out. I couldn’t walk down the stairs. When your body is empty, every step is a chore. You know you’re ill.”

You can read more of the interview via The Athletic HERE.

CLUB STATEMENT:

West Bromwich Albion are delighted to confirm the appointment of Tony Mowbray as men’s first team Head Coach.

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 (ko 7.45pm).

Chris Brunt will oversee the Sky Bet Championship clash against Stoke City at The Hawthorns on Saturday (ko 3pm), with Mowbray observing from the stands.

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.

Chairman Shilen Patel said: “Tony’s return is driven by the excellent head coach he is now and while I know he is proud of his previous time with the Albion, his desire to achieve new success shone through from our first meeting.

“Tony has a wealth of experience across British football and shares our vision for the football club. He truly cares about bringing the best out of players and instils determination and commitment in his teams.

“I am thrilled he is our new head coach, and we are excited to welcome him back to write a new chapter in his Baggies story with his unwavering desire to compete and win.”

Sporting Director Andrew Nestor added: “Tony’s extensive experience and coaching pedigree made him an exceptional candidate for the role from the start. It’s also a pleasure to now have the opportunity to work alongside someone with such a positive association with the club.

“The playing style he seeks to implement hugely compliments our model and existing squad. Tony has an attacking playing mentality and a proven track record of improving young and established players, providing a platform on which they can thrive.

“Tony’s recent track record is among the best in the last five years in terms of individual player uplift and squad performance. There is strong alignment on how we are already building out the club’s broader sporting structure and, most importantly, the way we are seeking to build the positive culture we wish to continue to foster here.

“This has been a thorough and meticulous process, beginning with a well-researched shortlist and clear criteria for what we would seek in a head coach. The work carried out over the last three weeks was designed to ensure we had the ideal fit and the right staff for the club. We spoke with Tony in depth early on, and as soon as he became available this week, we proceeded with bringing him back to The Hawthorns.

“Our squad planning strategy that began in the summer has been ongoing in the background throughout the January window and will continue as planned.”

Tony Mowbray speaks bravely for the first time about his cancer diagnosis

Twitter users gave their reaction as Tony Mowbray speaks on his return as West Brom head coach and getting the all-clear from cancer…

@wolvespremier: From a Wolves fan this is great to see! Good luck Tony and great to see you back in football 👏👏

@GiallorossiBlue: Delighted to see Tony back in management. One of football’s true nice guys and a very good manager to boot. He came in at Rovers and stabilised us in very uncertain times. For that we will always be thankful. I hope he does well with you lot!

@WolvesFirst: Good luck from a Wolves fan, forget the rivalry, he is a top man, so pleased to see him back and healthy.

@BavarianRovers: Really Happy to see Tony back in the game! True gentleman and he built the foundation to what we have now at Blackburn. 💙🤍🌹

@DavidStrachan85: Rovers fan. Thrilled to see Tony back in management where he belongs. 🔵⚪️

@lee_marlowe: Great to see him back in football. Great fella! All the best Tony. Cov fan 🩵

@StephenStubbs5: All the best Tony, built the foundations of this Sunderland side I love to watch every week. A great man and a great appointment, will get you all back onside

@RobertW73173794: Stoke fan in peace! Great to see Tony back on the dug out wish him the very best after Saturdays game of course!

@readrovers: Good to see him well & back doing what he does best! 💙

@saley1984: Tony Fantastico, great to see him back! 🫡💙Warra bloke

@TwooterHead: Great to see him back again in management with what he has been through. Rovers fan

@SilkyStapes: I was gutted when he left. Along with Megson he’s my favourite manager in my life time. What ever happens this time around he’ll always be special and I’m thankful for all the wonderful memories he gave me. Cannot wait for this new era. Welcome home, Tony!!

@MarkONe64583088: Was devastated your time at @bcfc was so short but so glad you’re fit and well. As a ST holder at Blues for 40 years- I’ve never enjoyed pre/post match interviews so much. True Gentleman and excellent manager. KRO Tony Fantastico- see you next season 😉💪🏼👊🏼

@LeighMa79471576: Top top top man,I wish Tony was still at Sunderland.He can do wonderful things for young lads.Ask Chris Rigg what Mogga has done for his career

@FTM1042: One of the most humble, honest, hard working and passionate managers in the game. Absolutely love and hugely respect Mogga. Gave me the best moments & memories supporting Sunderland in achieving a top 6 finish in our first season back in championship. Good luck Mogga ❤️👊