West Brom interim head coach Chris Brunt admitted his over-riding emotion was “disappointment” as he handed the reins to Tony Mowbray after the 1-1 draw with Stoke in the Sky Bet Championship.
Brunt, 40, is being replaced by Mowbray after six games in caretaker charge in which he has won one and drawn three – all 1-1.
The Northern Irishman – who was signed by Mowbray in the latter’s first spell at the club – leaves Albion in seventh place, a point off the play-offs after their 14th draw of the season.
Mowbray, 61, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal in his second spell at The Hawthorns after recovering from bowel cancer which caused him to leave his post as Birmingham manager last season.
The former Celtic, Blackburn and Sunderland manager was given a warm welcome on the pitch before the game.
“We had good opportunities that we probably should have taken, so the over-riding feeling is probably disappointment,” said Brunt.
“We had a couple of good opportunities in the first half then in the second half we really had a go.
“Once we got the equaliser I thought there was only going to be one winner.
“But Stoke defended their box well so it is another draw unfortunately.”
Brunt added: “There was no lack of quality, effort and willingness to try things, but it was that final pass or final ball that let us down.
“We had good opportunities but it was the final pass that was maybe overhit or not quite right, and that is football.”
Brunt is delighted to be handing over to Mowbray, who watched from the main stand gantry and spoke to the players in the hotel beforehand and at half-time.
“It’s great to pass it on to someone I have a lot of respect for,” added Brunt.
“He’s done a great job here before, and is well respected by everyone.”
But he admitted it hadn’t whetted appetite for management.
“No I don’t think so – it’s very full on and it’s always a difficult period,” he added.
Nathan Lowe gave Stoke an eighth-minute lead when he turned home Junior Tchamadeu’s wayward shot.
It was Lowe’s 19th goal of the season but his first in 2024-25 for Stoke following his recall from loan at League Two runaway leaders Walsall.
Albion missed several chances before Grady Diangana equalised in the 72nd minute, timing his run to perfection to volley home Mikey Johnston’s cross.
For Albion, Tom Fellows curled wide, Jayson Molumby missed two one-on-ones and Karlan Grant, Alex Mowatt and Fellows again fired off target while Johnston’s shot was saved.
Stoke boss Mark Robins hailed the impact of Lowe.
“He got himself in a good position and his finish was great,” said Robins.
“He asks intelligent questions and he’s an intelligent boy. For his first game for us he did really well.”
As for the game, he said: “We started really well, in and out of possession.
“We didn’t really give them much but they were always a threat.
“We defended pretty well and were better in possession than we have been.
“They started to throw everything at us on the counter and it was more them attacking in the second half.”
