Morrison to stay West Brom boss until end of season

Relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion have confirmed the appointment of James Morrison as head coach until the end of the season.

The former Baggies and Scotland midfielder has been put in interim charge following the sacking of Eric Ramsay eight days ago.

He began his third temporary spell at the helm with a 2-1 defeat by fellow strugglers Oxford United that increased Albion's relegation fears with the club just one point above the bottom three.

Morrison, 39, will also have Matt Gill as part of his coaching staff after the former Peterborough, Exeter and Norwich midfielder joined the club.

The 45-year-old's coaching career has included spells at Tranmere, Norwich and, most recently, working under Russell Martin at Southampton and Rangers.

"Matt is a first-class coach with an outstanding character, and I am convinced he will help us turn the tide on what has obviously been an incredibly poor season to date," said Morrison, whose coaching group will try to stop Albion being relegated to the third tier for only the second time in the club's history over the next 11 games.

They travel to face Sheffield United on Saturday, before hosting Southampton next Wednesday, 11 March.

"After a period of poor results, it can take time to return to the level of performance required to win games in this division – but I remain confident that one result will help bring another," Morrison added. "It will not be easy and we're going to have to work hard to get to that level.

"I completely appreciate that it can't have been easy being a fan this season – and I'm not going to ask them to do anything. This is about us showing the fight and desire expected of a West Bromwich Albion team.

"Our fans will respond to that as they always do, with wholehearted, passionate support, that raises the roof of wherever we're playing.

"I'm completely committed to getting us over the line, and I know from experience that when this club comes together in moments of adversity, it can achieve anything."

Steve Hermon, BBC Radio WM West Brom commentator

Morrison certainly has the passion needed to drag Albion out of this mess, as he displayed in his post-match media duties at the Kassam Stadium, but will the players respond to the brutally honest assessment he delivered after the 2–1 loss?

It was refreshing to hear, but his "big defender" Krystian Bielik and goalkeeper Max O'Leary may not take kindly to being called out so publicly.

What was also clear when I spoke to 'Mozza' on Saturday was that he would need help to steer the Baggies clear of the Championship drop-zone.

The club have provided that in the form of Matt Gill. Some fans may raise an immediate red flag due to his association with Russell Martin, who it's safe to say has split public opinion in recent years.

Gill worked alongside him at Southampton and Rangers, but the 45‑year‑old assistant is a different character to Martin and widely respected as a coach.

He will provide a fresh voice to a fragile group of players, and a sounding board for Morrison, who was thinking out loud in his post‑match interview about how to approach their next game at Sheffield United.

The club legend first arrived at The Hawthorns 19 years ago and celebrated two promotions to the Premier League as a player.

Now, as a manager, he has just 11 games to avoid relegation to League One.

With what is at stake for the club's long-term future, that may turn out to be the biggest achievement of his Baggies career.