"We're going to attack, we're going to be positive..." Tony Mowbray's style vow on West Brom return

Mowbray return to Albion was confirmed on Friday night almost 16 years since the former title-winning boss, adored by all generations of Baggies fans, ended his first spell.

The 61-year-old received the all-clear from final health checks this week and was free to return to work - at which point Albion's Bilkul hierarchy re-engaged in talks led by sporting director Andrew Nestor and owner and chairman Shilen Patel.

The post remained open for Mowbray, Albion's 2007/08 title-winning boss, after talks broke down with former chief target Raphael Wicky following incoming staffing issues.

But Mowbray emerged as the main target once it was clear he would receive the all-clear and the former Blues, Sunderland and Blackburn boss had a two-and-a-half year contract confirmed.

Upon agreeing his return to the Black Country more than a decade-and-a-half on from his exit to Celtic, Mowbray stressed the target is to deliver winning football for a Premier League promotion charge - with an attacking flair.

"The first time I was here was a great time and I hope to again assemble a team that plays positive football, providing the fans with great memories of winning football games," said Mowbray, whose title-winning side smashed in more than 100 goals in competitions in 07/08, in also reaching an FA Cup semi-final.

"I hope that now I’ve come back that we can get back to where the supporters, team, club and owners want to be, which is in the Premier League – and that will be our focus.

"There is lots of quality in the squad with a good mix of youth and experience. It’s my job to get the best out of it. I certainly have the same drive and determination to do so.

"We’re going to attack, we’re going to be positive, we’re going to go and play and hopefully get the fans out of their seats and win some games.

"The starting point is a good one, we’re not scrambling to get away from anything. We’ve got a great opportunity and chance to compete towards the top end of the table."

Albion's starting place is seventh, just outside the play-off places, as Chris Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill bring their seven-match caretaker stint to an end against Stoke on Saturday.

Mowbray and his long-term assistant Mark Venus will be watching on from the stands at The Hawthorns having been introduced to the crowd prior to kick-off.

"This is a club I’ve got great affection for," he added. "It’s a club I care for, it’s a club I followed before and after my previous time as manager. It’s a club where it’s always been special whenever I returned with other teams.

"It’s a real family football club and that’s why I had the discussions with the ownership. I’m so excited to be walking back through the doors and helping the team.

"I would like to thank chairman Shilen Patel, sporting director Andrew Nestor and all involved in bringing me back for providing me with a second opportunity to manage this great club.

"I like the setup of the club, I like the people. In my discussions with them they were very humble, there was no arrogance, just good people who want to succeed.

"A lot has changed since my first time here, but the club feels like its back on the rise. The one thing I know won’t have changed is the supporters – and I can’t wait to rekindle my excellent relationship with them.

"I’m ready to relish the challenge again. It’s a new challenge. I know I’ve been here before, but it’s a new challenge, a new time, a new era for me at the football club."

Brunt, one of Mowbray's most successful signings at The Hawthorns, will hand the reins over to the new boss after the clash against Stoke.

Mowbray will meet the press on Monday ahead of his first fixture in charge - at Middlesbrough, the club he captained and managed and his home of recent years.

Brunt will return to his day job of loans manager. The rest of Mowbray's staff are set to be confirmed in due course with Abella, Corberan's former statistical analyst who has led the way in the interim period, set to stay on board.

Darlington-born James Morrison, a Boro youngster who Mowbray brought from the north-east to have a hugely successful Baggies career, is another staff member at Albion who works within the club's academy and Brunt joked had a particularly strong relationship with the new boss. 

Asked about his contact with Mowbray in the years since they worked together, Brunt replied: "There'd be messages or stuff when something happened the odd time, obviously when he wasn't well I sent, I'm sure everybody did!

"He obviously came to the charity game a couple of years ago for me and Mozza, obviously he signed both of us so we've got decent relations with him - Mozza's his little boy, he always loved Mozza - 'little Mozza'!

"It'll be nice to see him, hopefully we can get a decent result to leave for him and he can crack on."