Source: Team_Talk
Albion confirm Celtic's TM approach
The Baggies, who were relegated to the Championship after finishing bottom of the Premier League last season, had previously denied receiving an approach from the Scottish Premier League giants for Mowbray, despite widespread reports stating he was their number one target.
The Bhoys are believed to have initially wanted Owen Coyle, but he pledged his future to Burnley having steered them into England's top tier, so the Parkhead hierarchy turned their attention to former Celtic defender Mowbray.
Mowbray moved to The Hawthorns from Hibernian, where he developed a reputation for producing free-flowing football, three seasons ago and led Albion to the Championship play-off final in his first campaign before winning promotion to the Premier League as champions in 2007-08.
The Baggies won plenty of praise for their attacking intent last season, but struggled to adapt to the top tier and only won eight of 38 league games.
Albion chairman Jeremy Peace confirmed on Monday that Celtic had been in touch with a view to holding talks with Mowbray over their managerial vacancy.
But Peace has refused them permission, and said: "After two weeks of speculation, I have finally received a call from the Celtic chief executive, Peter Lawwell, requesting permission to speak to Tony.
"I made it absolutely clear that Celtic's approach was not welcome because we have an ongoing project at Albion in which Tony is an integral part."
Mowbray has a compensation clause in his contract which is believed to be in the region of £2million.
And Peace believes the former Middlesbrough defender has unfinished business at The Hawthorns.
He continued: "Tony's style of play is a key factor in that project and the supporters have very much bought into it, as everyone saw by the terrific reception the fans gave Tony and the players after our final home game against Liverpool.
"It is also reflected by the fact we have already sold more than 16,000 season tickets for 2009/10.
"We inserted a compensation figure when Tony signed a new contract 16 months ago to ensure that the club would be suitably recompensed in the event of any other club seeking his services.
"Most people would regard it as a fair figure. It was inserted in the contract in good faith and is non-negotiable because we don't want to lose our manager.
"Celtic have been made aware of the compensation figure and, if they agree to pay this, only then will I speak to Tony to get his thoughts on the situation.
"Until and unless that happens, as far as we are concerned, it is business as usual as we plan for a very important season ahead of us.
"We hope this is the end of the matter as we do not need any further, unwelcome distractions for the job in hand."
