Mowbray was unable to keep West Brom in the top flight

Outgoing West Brom manager Tony Mowbray wasted a great opportunity at The Hawthorns, according to one of his predecessors Ron Atkinson.

Mowbray leaves the Baggies for Celtic after seeing his side relegated from the Premier League in last position.

"He's done OK, but I thought last year was a wasted year, I really did," ex-Aston Villa boss Atkinson told BBC WM.

"I honestly thought when they got promotion they'd consolidate, but there was a certain lack of experience."

Atkinson feels West Brom have done a good piece of business, collecting in the region of £2m from the SPL runners-up for a manager who could soon have been under pressure.

I would certainly be interested in Darren Ferguson- of the younger managers he's one of the brighter ones Ron Atkinson

"If I'm reading the script right, they would've given him until October or November and if they weren't serious contenders then the drums would be beating and the fans would be restless," he noted.

"I thought there were problems you could see at the start of the season and identify in the very first game that weren't solved at all."

Baggies fans' attentions now turn to the identity of Mowbray's successor, and Atkinson sees some very strong contenders for the Hawthorns hot-seat.

"I would certainly be interested in Darren Ferguson, because of the younger managers he's one of the brighter ones," said the BBC WM summariser.

"If they can't get someone of that ilk I'd sooner go for an impact manager to get back in one - I'd have a little tickle for Gordon Strachan."

West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace hopes to fill the vacancy before the end of June to have a new management team in place for the start of pre-season training.

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