Mowbray heads for West Brom

Last updated : 13 October 2006 By Tony Scholes
Mowbray is expected to be at Portman Road tomorrow in a watching brief, and it was there he got his first short opportunity in management as caretaker boss following the dismissal of George Burley back in 2002. One of his four games in charge of the Tractor Boys was our 2-2 draw at Portman Road when Dimitrios Papadopoulos grabbed a late equaliser.

Mowbray wanted the job then but he was overlooked and it was almost two years later that he took over at Hibs from Bobby Williamson when he moved down to Plymouth. That was good news for Hibs and their football has been a joy to watch in the last two seasons and left Mowbray much sought after.

Ipswich tried to get him back in the summer, but nothing came of that, and in the last few weeks he has always been one of the favourites for the West Brom job. This time he wanted to move and after the two clubs agreed a compensation package yesterday he headed down to the West Midlands.

Mowbray had a long playing career, with over 550 league appearances for Middlesbrough, Celtic and Ipswich and his first game in charge of the Baggies will be their local derby against Wolves a week tomorrow.