James Morrison Lands Two-Year West Bromwich Albion Deal
James Morrison has been appointed West Bromwich Albion head coach on a two-year contract after steering the club to Championship safety. The move ends his interim spell and gives Albion a permanent manager after a run-in that only settled on the final home day.
West Bromwich Albion and Morrison
Morrison had taken charge a week after Eric Ramsay was sacked in late February, then produced a record of four wins, six draws and one loss. His first match ended in defeat against Oxford United, but the club recovered enough to stay clear of League One.
That recovery was not straightforward. West Bromwich Albion were hit with a two-point penalty for breaking financial rules, dropped into the relegation zone during Morrison's spell, and still needed a point in the final home match against Ipswich Town to secure safety.
Albion's final-day escape
The point against Ipswich kept Albion up and set up Morrison's permanent appointment. Before he became head coach, he had spent 12 years as a player at the club, scoring 39 goals in 341 appearances, and his return to the dugout now carries the same practical brief that guided the finish to the season: stabilise a side that spent the run-in under pressure.
Chairman Shilen Patel said Morrison had led the club out of a real moment of adversity and helped bring everyone together. He added that Albion did not survive by accident and said Morrison's appointment was thoroughly deserved, while also praising his burgeoning leadership and saying he embodies what the club is about and conveys the standards expected by fans.
Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday
Morrison said he was honoured and humbled to have been appointed and pointed to the togetherness shown by players, staff, directors and fans. He also said he will never forget the end to the Ipswich game, when it felt like it was us against the world, with the atmosphere off the pitch matching the efforts of the players on it.
Albion's final game of the season is away to relegated Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday at 12:30 BST, a last match that now sits after the main decision has already been made: Morrison stays in charge.
