West Brom boss refuses to bite back over Lou Macari attack

Apr 3 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

MANAGER Tony Mowbray has refused to get embroiled in a war of words with his former manager Lou Macari following scathing comments by the Scot.

Macari accused Mowbray of undergoing a “religious conversion”, adding Albion lacked fight.

But Mowbray has no plans to bite back and, despite the comments, retains a high level of respect for the ex-Blues and Stoke boss, who was manager of Celtic during the early 1990s.

Mowbray feels Macari’s comments were made to the audience he was addressing – in this instance an evening newspaper in Stoke.

“I worked with Lou and I listen to him on MUTV analysing Manchester United, one of the most expansive teams in the world – it’s all about being brave and expanding and passing and moving,” said Mowbray.

“And yet, because he is writing in the Stoke Sentinel, he is talking about fight and getting into the box.

“I like Lou Macari. If he’s earning a living from making comments, then I’ve got no problem with it.

“Lou has had his shot at football management, brought his own philosophies and styles to teams and had his relative successes and relative failures.

“I am having a shot at this and I will do it my way and not be too concerned about other people’s opinions.”

Mowbray also refuted suggestions that his side lacked fight.