Roberto Di Matteo and Tony Mowbray react as West Brom heroes Chris Brunt and James Morrison play testimonial
West Brom legends Chris Brunt and James Morrison came together with promotion-winning bosses Roberto Di Matteo and Tony Mowbray for a celebratory charity game on Saturday afternoon.
The Albion Foundation was at the forefront of the “Clash of the Legends” game, an unofficial testimonial for Chris Brunt and James Morrison.
The fixture finished 4-4 and former bosses Di Matteo and Mowbray praised the event and their former players for a “perfect” day.
Speaking to the Express and Star, Mowbray and Di Matteo spoke highly of the event and the connection they still have with Albion supporters.
“I had an amazing time here, this was my first effort at management in the bigger league, let’s say. It was a real challenge for me,” said Mowbray.
“It was good for me, it tested me. It was a great learning curve.
“I walk around today people still want to talk about the seasons, it’s nice to listen to the supporters.”
Di Matteo added: “It was really nice seeing faces and catch up with people I haven’t seen for a long time.
“I came back to a stadium and club I have very fond memories of. Looking back with hindsight you realise it was great with a really good group of players.
“I was glad when Brunty called me and straight away I agreed to be part of the day for a good cause. It was a perfect day, we sort of said farewell to Brunty and Mozza and they deserve that.”
Great gaffers.
Mowbray was at the helm for 140 games at Albion, between 2006 and 2009, guiding the Hawthorns faithful to the Championship play-offs in his first season.
He signed Brunt and Morrison during his second year in charge, a fondly remembered squad that went onto win the title that year.
Unfortunately after gaining promotion to the Premier League, West Brom were relegated the following season, but Mowbray had the team ticking and playing some great football.
Mowbray then went on to join Celtic and was replaced by Di Matteo, who guided the Baggies back to the English top tier in his first season with the club.
The form of the squad dipped and halfway through the next campaign Di Matteo was sacked by the hierarchy, a standard theme in English football.
It was great to see the duo back in the dugout for a good cause, they provided fans with a lot of great memories during their stints at the Hawthorns.
In other West Brom news, Albion may regret not signing this South American wonder after the way he performed against them at Carrow Road.