Sunderland's familiar interim manager for West Brom clash after Tony Mowbray sacking
West Brom head to Sunderland on Saturday but they won't be enjoying a reunion with former boss Tony Mowbray
by Joseph Chapman, https://www.facebook.com/josephchapmanBM/ · Birmingham LiveTony Mowbray hasn't lasted long enough to welcome his former club West Bromwich Albion to Sunderland on Saturday. The Mackems announced on Monday night that Mowbray, who oversaw a 1-1 draw at Millwall at the weekend, had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect and their search for his successor has now begun.
Mowbray was brought in last summer to replace Alex Neil, who left for Stoke City, and he guided a young side to the play-offs at the end of last season, before they were beaten over two legs by Luton Town. This year, the Black Cats find themselves ninth with 27 points and three points away from the top six.
The club confirmed in their statement: "Supported by the club’s existing coaching team, Mike Dodds will lead the first-team’s training and match preparations until the process to appoint a new head coach has concluded."
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Dodds is well known in the West Midlands. He joined Sunderland from Birmingham City in 2021 having been promoted to the head of the Blues academy during his spell at St Andrew's, which lasted over a decade. At the Stadium of Light, he holds the head of individual player development role.
At Blues, Dodds is credited with playing a part in the rise of England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, as well as the likes of Nathan Redmond and Demarai Gray who have enjoyed Premier League careers. He's now working with Jude's younger brother Jobe in the Sunderland first team for the foreseeable future.
In the season before last, after stepping into interim charge when the club sacked Lee Johnson, Dodds oversaw league defeats to Doncaster Rovers and Cheltenham Town, prior to Neil's arrival and the consequent promotion he inspired.
Albion and Carlos Corberan also face Rotherham United next Tuesday, who are currently still without a manager having sacked Matt Taylor, while they head to Swansea City on New Year's Day - and they've just sacked Michael Duff, a matter of hours before Mowbray left Sunderland on Monday.