West Brom shortlist in place but club ready to use the time it has ahead

Owner and chairman Shilen Patel delivered the news in person to the 61-year-old after Albion's Easter Monday 3-1 home defeat to lowly Derby County.

It called time on Mowbray's three months back at the club having been appointed on a two-and-a-half year contract. The owners felt Mowbray's position was no longer tenable after a run of five defeats in six games derailed the play-off push.

Albion's ownership group, specifically those in charge of football affairs, are understood to have already drafted a shortlist of candidates they hold an interest in.

Shilen Patel, sporting director Andrew Nestor and the group's chief operating operator Ashish Patel are expected to address the list of names in the coming days. In the meantime James Morrison, the first-team coach, has been placed in caretaker charge with Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill.

There are just two games of the Championship campaign remaining and while Albion, in 10th, trail the top six by six points with six still left to play for, there is very little chance of the play-offs next month.

With the summer looming, there is time for the decision-makers to take stock and not rush into Mowbray's replacement and a third permanent head coach of the season.

Bilkul spent three-and-a-half weeks in naming Mowbray as Carlos Corberan's successor after an approach for first-choice target Raphael Wicky, the Swiss coach, broke down over backroom staff.

Mowbray was part of the initial search and interview and then turned to once Wicky talks broke down and Mowbray was given the green light by his doctors for a return to work after bowel cancer.

While the ownership group's first head coach appointment ultimately ended in failure, Patel and Co. showed they were prepared to take time mid-season to find their man - but then show a ruthlessness to make a calculated, non-emotional decision to terminate things. Nestor vowed in January and appointment was not one made on sentiment or emotion and Patel has backed that with the sacking.

Bilkul now have two weeks of the season left, with an away match at Cardiff and home clash against Luton to see out the campaign. They then have the luxury of time on their side to right the wrongs of the last few months and get the second head coach appointment of their Albion stewardship right.