West Brom: Tony Mowbray aims dig at Andrew Nestor as AI-led approach exposed
Ex-West Bromwich Albion head coach Tony Mowbray has seemingly taken a swipe at former sporting director Andrew Nestor for his influence at the club.
Mowbray was appointed as the Baggies' head coach back in January of 2025, but stepped away in April over health concerns.
It was his second time in charge at The Hawthorns, following his nearly three-year stay between 2006 and 2009.
Although it didn't go to plan, the 62-year-old is now back in the Championship with another one of his former sides, Blackburn Rovers, with whom he previously spent over five years.
West Brom fans will be glad to see the Englishman back fit and healthy, and he will no doubt receive a good reception when he returns to The Hawthorns at some point next season.
However, his time back with the Black Country Club was somewhat controversial, particularly due to the involvement that Nestor had during his reign.
Tony Mowbray exposes AI ways under Andrew Nestor
Nestor left the Baggies by mutual consent earlier this year, much to the relief of many supporters.
He faced a variety of challenges since joining in 2024, but his failures ultimately led him to become an unlikable figure among West Brom fans.
There were suggestions over Nestor's involvement when Mowbray was at the club, leading to off-field tensions, which didn't help results on the pitch.
Speaking to Lancashire Telegraph after re-joining Rovers, Mowbray revealed insight into his time with the Baggies, exposing the AI-led ways that Nestor was keen on using, among other issues.
Mowbray said: "A lot of no-see on recruitment, a lot of AI, trying to influence the selection of the team, etc.
"It was just different. What I do know is that the ownership isn't different from my first time at West Bromwich. It's not different, but it was there."
Nestor had previously been open about using AI data for transfers, which didn't help his case when said transfers didn't work out.
Chris Lepkowski confirms Nestor dig
The past is the past, and Shilen Patel is hoping to move forward with the Baggies this summer.
West Brom are hopeful under James Morrison, and have already started planning for the summer transfer window, with two deals reportedly close.
The club may swerve away from AI, now that Nestor has gone, and journalist Chris Lepkowski has confirmed on X that Mowbray was aiming his shots at the former sporting director with his recent comments.
He also shared that Mowbray was told who to pick in defence for one game, due to AI predicting a small chance of victory, and the people who suggested this had not watched training.
How times have changed.