Tony Mowbray has decided to leave West Bromwich Albion and join Celtic as their new manager. The former Hoops defender spent four years as a player at Parkhead and replaces Gordon Strachan after his resignation.
The former Hibs boss joined Albion in October 2006 after Bryan Robson was relieved of his duties. In his first season Mowbray took the Baggies to the Play-off final but failed to gain promotion after a 1-0 defeat to Derby County.
After an overhaul of his playing personnel that summer Mowbray guided Albion to their first league title in 88 years clinching the title on the final day of the season at Loftus Road. That season the Baggies also reached their first FA Cup semi-final but again suffered Wembley heartache following defeat to Portsmouth.
The jubilation of promotion quickly faded as Albion’s best start to a Premier League campaign quickly turned sour as Albion were ultimately relegated following a number of defensive and tactical errors led to a quick return to the Championship.
On Mowbray’s departure chairman Jeremy Peace said: “We will now concentrate fully on the important task of appointing a new manager who can take the club forward.”
"As we stated last week, we did not want to lose Tony nor did we encourage Celtic's approach.
"However, there was a compensation clause in Tony's contract which has been met to our satisfaction and, after talks with Celtic, Tony has decided to join them."
Mowbray’s assistants, Mark Venus and Peter Grant, are also set to join the 45-year-old north of the border after a compensation package, believed to be in the region of £2.4 million, was agreed with Jeremy Peace.