‘I’m full of energy again’ – Town legend returns to management after cancer all-clear
Ipswich Town great Tony Mowbray has returned to football management to become the new head coach of Championship side West Bromwich Albion on two-and-a-half-year agreement.
The 61-year-old is back in the dug out for the first time since February 2024, when he had to step aside as Birmingham City manager to get treatment for what was subsequently confirmed to be colon cancer.
Mowbray, who is only days on after being given the all-clear following his health crisis, makes his return to the Hawthorns having previously managed them between 2006 and 2009, guiding them to the second division championship in 2007/08.
He will be joined by long serving assistant manager and another former Town player in Mark Venus at the Baggies. They replace Carlos Corberan, who moved for Spanish side Valencia on Christmas Eve.
“This is a club I’ve got great affection for,” Mowbray told the West Brom official website. “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 wonderful whenever I returned with previous teams.
“It’s a real family football club and that’s why I had the discussions with the ownership. I’m really pleased to be stepping back through the doors and assisting the team.
He added: “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 set-up of the club, I like the people. In my interactions with them they were really modest, there was no ego, just nice individuals who want to achieve.
“A lot has changed since my first time here, but the club feels like it’s back on the rise. The one thing I know won’t have altered is the fans – and I can’t wait to restore my good connection with them.
“I’m ready to relish the challenge again. It’s a new task. I know I’ve been here before, but it’s a new challenge, a new moment, a new period for me at the football club.”
Regarding his health, he 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 that was a pleasant 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 laying in a hospital bed being transported back and forth twice a week for treatment. I’m full of energy again. People who know me well remark that I’m back. Bring it on.”
Mowbray played at Town from 1995 and 2000, helping the Blues earn promotion to the Premier League in the play-off final at Wembley in the last game of his playing career. He also served as a coach and caretaker manager at Portman Road.
He has now gone on to manage over 800 games for numerous teams, including two of his old sides in Middlesbrough and Celtic.
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