'An avalanche of love': Tony Mowbray hails football community after West Brom return

The 61-year-old was appointed as Albion boss on Friday evening after Carlos Corberan left The Hawthorns late on Christmas Eve. 

Mowbray was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February last year but was recently given the all-clear by doctors and allowed to return to work. 

And at his unveiling at the Baggies training ground on Monday, various questions about his battle with illness were put to the new boss. 

"Over the last year, it has been unbelievable (the support he has received)," he said. "The football family and the contact I have had from some, people I don't even know, Premier League managers contact you and the LMA, players, it has been an avalanche of love coming my way. 

"I've had family and friends and the warmth has given you motivation and drive to dig in on dark days.

"As a big strong man, I thought I would cruise through it, but there were days when I had collapsed and it is unique. 

"I would look at my phone and have 20 messages, ten managers, competitors but I have felt the love."

"It has given me strength and an ability to look at myself and needed the support of my family. 

"I remember being in a hospital bed and my kids had tears in my eyes, and I know I needed to phone the CEO that I wasn't coming back. 

"It is tough, I spent a long time in Manchester in hospital and seeing unbelievably sick people and I had that lack of energy."