West Brom have announced the departure of Tony Mowbray after the club’s play-off hopes were all-but ended by a 3-1 Championship defeat at home to relegation-threatened Derby.
The visitors twice punished the Baggies from set-piece situations when Ebou Adams and Jerry Yates struck from corners in the first half.
Adam Armstrong’s goal halved the deficit and made for a nervy final 20 minutes until Nathaniel Mendez-Laing sealed maximum points for Derby, two minutes from time.
Defeat left West Brom 10th in the Championship following five defeats in six games and the club confirmed Mowbray’s departure hours after the final whistle, while assistant head coach Mark Venus also departed the club.
A statement said: “The club would like to place on record its thanks to Tony and Mark for their efforts – but has made the decision to part company following a series of poor results.
“Tony and Mark will forever be welcome at The Hawthorns and their contributions to the club winning the 2007/08 Sky Bet Championship title will never be forgotten.
“Everyone at Albion wishes Tony and Mark all the very best in the future.”
James Morrison will take interim charge of the team, who are six points adrift of the top six.
Speaking after the game, Mowbray felt his team’s run had knocked confidence, saying: “I felt they lacked a bit of courage on the ball, too many backwards and sideways passes.
“Our situation over the defeats at Coventry and Bristol City have affected confidence.
“You need big characters when things are tough and tricky, so it was a disappointing day for us all.
“I feel disappointed for the fans and players, I’ve told them what I think is missing. They have to get together in the dressing room, root it out and turn up in the next two performances.
“I felt the team lacked a little bit of bravery and it was unlike us to lose the goals we did. It’s frustrating because however you try and inspire a football team with your words, it obviously isn’t finding the right buttons to push.”
Mowbray also added it was an important close season for the Baggies.
He added: “The summer is a huge summer for this club with the changes that are coming. Recruitment has to be right.
“I think it’s going to be a fresh start with the players leaving.”
Derby snapped a run of four games without a win with a crucial victory that keeps them outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Boss John Eustace felt the players showed character to earn just their third away win of the season.
He said: “We had a game plan coming into it and I thought we were spot on.
“We had a setback on Friday and were excellent in the second half, so to come back here with a performance like that is pleasing. We work hard on set pieces and I was pleased to see two come off today.
“The Championship is relentless. If you start worrying about the other teams you’ll cause yourself problems. I’m focused on my football team.
“To get a win now is really pleasing, we recovered from a couple of setbacks.”
