Tony Mowbray closing in on return to management after EFL legend given all-clear following bowel cancer fight
TONY MOWBRAY is the front-runner to land the West Brom job.
The popular manager, 61, has been out of work since having to step down as Birmingham boss last February after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Having now been cleared to return to work by doctors and the League Managers’ Association, Mowbray is closing in on an emotional return to West Brom.
According to the Telegraph, the experienced boss held “detailed talks” with Baggies chiefs on Thursday.
Mowbray previously managed West Brom between 2006 and 2009.
During that spell he guided them to the Championship title, before going on to leave for Celtic.
He subsequently managed Middlesbrough, Coventry, Blackburn and Sunderland.
On his desire to return to work, Mowbray said in November: “I do want to go back to work because football is in my blood, it’s what I do.
“I still have issues, I’m still, at the moment, not 100 per cent ready for work, but somewhere down the line. My body’s telling me that I’m not ready yet.”
West Brom had been in advanced talks with former Young Boys boss Raphael Wicky.
But talks broke down with the Swiss boss, with issues surrounding his backroom staff thought to be the main sticking point.
West Brom have been without a manager since December 24.
Former boss Carlos Corberan left to take charge of LaLiga strugglers Valencia.
The Baggies are in promotion contention, currently sitting seventh in the Championship, one point behind the play-off places.
They have lost just four games so far this season but have been draw specialists – with their tally of 13 more than any other team in the Championship.