Shilen Patel told to spend ‘absolute fortune’ as West Brom decision slammed
West Brom are all but guaranteed to spend next season in the Championship after a late collapse in form.
A run of just one win in eight matches saw the side not only slip out of the play-offs but made it almost impossible for the club to regain its position inside the top six within the two remaining matches.
As a result of this failure, Tony Mowbray was sacked by West Brom after the 3-1 defeat to Derby County on Easter Monday.
This decision to sack Mowbray caused controversy among the Baggies fanbase, with the former Birmingham City and Sunderland manager having just over three months in the role.
Now, his sacking has sparked further backlash from Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie.
West Brom’s decision to sack Mowbray slammed by Hendrie
Before his second spell in charge of the Baggies, Mowbray was held in high regard by the Hawthorns faithful.
He had previously won promotion to the Premier League with West Brom in 2008 when he won the Championship.
However, this time round, the manager had little time to secure promotion with a team he had not built.
| Tony Mowbray’s record at West Brom in second spell | |
| Games | 17 |
| Wins | 5 |
| Draws | 4 |
| Losses | 8 |
Many of West Brom’s players are now ageing with a significant investment likely needed in the squad if they are to challenge for the play-offs next season.
This seems to be the root of Hendrie’s issue with Mowbray’s sacking, as he claims that the Baggies need to spend “a fortune” if they are to ever reach the Premier League.
“I personally think it was the wrong call, to be honest,” Hendrie told Football League World (April 24). Timing-wise, it’s still really tight for that last couple of play-off spots.
“Obviously with Sheffield United going to be in there, and Sunderland have clarified that they are going to be the two play-off teams in there already.
“I mean, listen, you can get a bounce factor from someone coming in, but they’re going to have to find someone quickly.
“That’s the thing, I look at that football club and I feel like it’s been stood still for quite some time now, a lot of older players there, it’s an older squad.
“I know that they’ve tried to bring players in, but I don’t think sacking Tony was the right call whatsoever.
“I just feel they’re going to bring someone else in that has to really give them that bounce factor straight away to get them into the play-offs and potentially into the Premier League.
“But, getting to the Premier League, they’ve got to spend an absolute fortune to rebuild the squad they have there because there’s so many older heads there. So, I just don’t get it, I really don’t.
“I’m very surprised and shocked that they got rid of Mowbray.”
West Brom need a complete rebuild in the summer
There is no question that challenging for promotion in the next campaign is going to be highly difficult. Both Leicester and Southampton stormed the second tier last year and will likely be near the top of the table next season despite their relegation from the Premier League.
Ipswich also look like they will be relegated this term and will likely be favourites to win the Championship for the 2025/26 campaign.
On top of this, many current Championship sides will be challenging as well, particularly those who miss out in the play-offs.
Therefore, a complete rebuild is needed in the summer to ensure the Baggies can compete with these teams.
Whoever takes the manager role needs to be backed fully and allowed to reshape the squad to suit their needs.
Former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil has recently been linked to West Brom as the club prepares a shortlist.
Hopefully, the board will recognise the current issues and help put the club back into a promising position once more.