[theo kawala]

Tony Mowbray insists the chance to become West Brom's new manager was just too good to resist.

Mowbray has joined the Baggies from Scottish Premier League side Hibernian but will not take up his new post at The Hawthorns until the middle of next week, meaning caretaker Nigel Pearson will remain in charge for the games at Ipswich on Saturday and at Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

Mowbray fills the vacancy left after the shock departure of Bryan Robson, who lost his job last month with the side lying ninth in the Coca-Cola Championship table and just five points adrift of the top two.

The new Baggies chief intends watching from the stands when Albion take on Ipswich at Portman Road on Saturday as well as at Crystal Palace on Tuesday, before formally taking over from Pearson on Wednesday morning.

And Mowbray said: "At Ipswich, I coached under George Burley and Joe Royle knowing I wanted to become a manager.

"I am very, very grateful to Hibs for giving me that opportunity.

"I had two-and-a-half enjoyable years up there and I would like to think it was a relatively successful time considering the way we got the club moving.

"But I felt I was ready for the next challenge.

"When the chance arose to speak to West Brom, a club steeped in great tradition, it was an opportunity I could not turn down.

"I spoke to the board this week and the talks went very well.

"I always think it's important that the fit is right when a manager joins a new club.

"And I would like to think this fit is right.

"The club are ambitious and so am I."

Meanwhile, Hibs' preparations for Sunday's Edinburgh derby with Hearts at Easter Road have been supervised by first-team coach Mark Venus and his staff.