West Brom sack head coach Eric Ramsay after only 44 days in charge
West Brom have sacked Eric Ramsay after a 44-day spell that left west brom perilously close to the Championship drop. The 34-year-old was dismissed after a 1-1 home draw with Charlton that finished another run without victory.
Club ends Ramsay’s brief reign at The Hawthorns
Eric Ramsay’s tenure lasted just 44 days, matching the length of Brian Clough’s infamous spell at Leeds United in 1974, and set a new low as the shortest permanent managerial reign in the club’s history. He was appointed on a two-and-a-half-year deal on 11 January following the departure of Ryan Mason, having moved from MLS side Minnesota United and worked previously as a Manchester United coach.
Winless run, heavy defeats and tactical shifts
Ramsay failed to win in any of his nine games in charge, including eight in the Championship, leaving his win percentage at 0%. His side picked up just four points from four draws in those eight league matches, drawing four and losing four in Championship action. During his spell the club suffered what was described as their heaviest home defeat in the second tier, a 5-0 hammering by Norwich City, and were also knocked out of the FA Cup after a loss at Norwich.
Boardroom meeting after Charlton draw
After Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Charlton, Ramsay and assistant Dennis Lawrence were summoned to a boardroom meeting with owner and chairman Shilen Patel and the club then announced they had partied company. The club statement read: "West Bromwich Albion have parted company with men's first-team head coach Eric Ramsay. Assistant head coach Dennis Lawrence has also departed The Hawthorns. First-team coach James Morrison will oversee first-team affairs on an interim basis. The club would like to place on record its thanks to Eric and Dennis and wishes them well for the future. " Fans booed the team off at the final whistle.
Ramsay’s own assessment and tactical gamble
Ramsay accepted he was "not blameless" and told an interviewer after the 1-1 draw that the performance "wasn't good enough" and that "what will be, will be. " He also said the situation needed wins rather than draws and that the number of chances had been enough to win the game. Early in his spell he switched to a 3-4-3 formation with players he judged not equipped to play that way and then abandoned the system after a subsequent loss to Portsmouth.
James Morrison returns as interim manager
First-team coach James Morrison will take over on an interim basis. Morrison begins a third spell in interim charge in the space of less than 11 months and is unbeaten in the three games he has overseen. He described West Brom as "in his DNA" after a Swansea City FA Cup victory that came just hours before Ramsay’s arrival six weeks ago. With 12 games to go, Morrison will make keeping the club in the Championship his immediate priority.
Records, risks and what the board must answer
Ramsay’s departure is the second sacking of the season and the third managerial exit in less than a year. His 44-day stint surpassed the previous shortest permanence of 17 games held by Pepe Mel and Tony Mowbray. Critics have pointed to the club’s decision to appoint another young head coach as a factor that has placed the team at risk of a drop into the third tier for only the second time in its history. The hierarchy now faces questions from supporters about recruitment and strategy.
West Brom sit 21st in the Championship, one point above the relegation zone, and the board is set to begin a search for a fourth head coach as the club approaches the second anniversary of Shilen Patel’s takeover. Morrison will lead the side for the immediate run of fixtures as the club seeks results in the remaining 12 league games.
