TONY Mowbray is delighted Mark Venus has followed in his footsteps by signing a new Albion deal - to continue the strong partnership he believes the two have forged.

The Baggies boss' assistant yesterday put pen-to-paper on a new-and-improved 12-month rolling contract.

And Mowbray has paid tribute to the work Venus has done at The Hawthorns since the management duo left Hibernian to move to the Black Country 16 months ago.

"Mark's a very important part of what I do," he said.

"We're different characters and different personalities and I think we bring different strengths to the job.

"I do see the job very much as a partnership allied with the rest of the coaching staff.

"Mark has a host of qualities.

"He is someone to bounce ideas off.

"He gives me his own thoughts and he's very definitely not someone who agrees with everything I say or do.

"It's a very healthy relationship that hopefully stimulates good decision-making.

"He's got very strong opinions on football and what's right and wrong.

"I'm delighted he's agreed to sign a new deal as well.

"It was important for me that Mark did that."

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