Former West Brom boss held talks over possible Hawthorns return

The 61-year-old, who led Albion to the Championship title and an FA Cup semi-final back in 2008, has been out of the game after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in February last year.

Mowbray, who left Albion in 2009 to join Celtic, before going on to manage Coventry, Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and most recently Birmingham City, told the BBC in November that he would soon be eyeing a return to the dugout.

Following Carlos Corberan's exit from Albion on Christmas Eve, Mowbray was quickly linked to the position. However, the Express & Star was told at the start of the month that no contact had been made with the former Baggies manager.

That position then changed as talks between club officials and Mowbray were held in the latter stages of the process to find Corberan's replacement.

It is understood that a number of discussions were held this week between the two parties. 

Despite those discussions with Mowbray, it is believed that former Young Boys boss Raphael Wicky remained the leading candidate for the job. It was reported on Friday that the former Swiss international is advanced discussions to take over at The Hawthorns.

Ex-Manchester United assistant boss Rene Hake was also interviewed on two occasions for the role by sporting director Andrew Nestor.

While Mowbray's determined to make the move back into management, it is understood he will need to be given the all clear from doctors this week ahead of any potential return.