West Bromwich Albion continue to search for a new manager after sacking Eric Ramsey, and defeat to Oxford United at the weekend proves they are in need of inspiration.
West Brom’s search for new manager continues after Oxford defeat
Albion are a club in the doldrums and Saturday’s loss to Oxford was another blow they couldn’t bear.
It has been a miserable week for the Hawthorns even before kick-off at the Kassam Stadium.
Eric Ramsey had been shown the door a few days earlier, another managerial casualty of a season that has gone from disaster to disaster.
The 34-year-old was appointed in January to replace Ryan Mason after just 44 days on the job, was given a two-and-a-half year contract, and left before the spring.
His crime? The club went from nine games without a win and seven points out of the drop zone to sitting just one point above the table. This is a record of a decision that was unavoidable, even if it felt cruel.
James Morrison was appointed interim manager for the third time, but this statistic tells you everything you need to know about the turmoil that has engulfed this football club – and he led his team to Oxford thinking a win was imperative.
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The Baggies see a huge opportunity.
Two teams have scrapped to remain in the championship, with a six-point difference and both teams aiming for three points.
What they got was another gut punch. Oxford had barely conceded a goal at home since Boxing Day, but found the back of the net twice before the interval. Moreover, those two goals came from the most unavoidable set pieces.
Stan Mills converted a corner with a superb header to give the hosts the lead in the 14th minute. Twelve minutes later, Cameron Brannagan’s free-kick was met by Will Lanccia, who stood up and nodded in, but Max O’Leary was worried about West Brom’s goal.
Two goals, two passes into the box, and the defense just didn’t work.
Substitute Olly Bostock gave Albion a lifeline in the 33rd minute, his long-range shot taking a great deflection from Sam Long, leaving Jamie Cumming with no chance. We were able to win the match 2-1.
West Brom had 70 per cent possession throughout the afternoon and attempted 16 shots on goal, but were still unable to find a breakthrough. There was little to show for it in the second half, with the Baggies looking toothless and running out of ideas.
When the final whistle blew, Mr Morrison’s post-match entrance was atrocious – it was simply unacceptable.
It was the club’s 11th league game without a win, and with only 12 games remaining, they were staring at the abyss. Oxford, who just lost, are in hot pursuit.
West Brom bosses are firmly in the hunt for a new manager, according to reports, despite giving Morrison a chance to prove his suitability.
The names of Ralph Hasenhüttl, Will Still, Slaven Bilic and even Carlos Corberan were all mentioned last week, but now it looks like another former Baggie is in contention for the role.
Darren Moore ‘jumps at the chance’ to manage West Brom again
Owner Shiren Patel has to act quickly and, according to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, the club is eyeing familiar faces.
Darren Moore, who has been unemployed since Port Vale sacked him at the end of December, appears keen to return to the Hawthorns and will “jump at the chance” to rejoin the club.
The FI has indicated that he is considered a “strong candidate” to work with Prime Minister Scott Morrison in some capacity and given the short amount of time left in the season, an interim appointment is the preferred route.
It will be a homecoming for Moore in every sense of the word.
He made over 100 appearances for the club as a player and managed the club from 2018 to 2019, continuing to remain competitive in the Championship before being controversially sacked in fourth place in the table.
Since then, his career has had its peaks and troughs with promotions at Sheffield Wednesday and Port Vale, relegation at Hillsborough and a swift exit at Huddersfield before being dragged away at the bottom of League One by Vale.
Having said that, he knows West Brom. He knows what the club stands for, what the supporters demand and what it takes to survive at this level. At this point, that familiarity may be more valuable than any tactical blueprint.
Tony Mowbray is also included in the slot, with preliminary talks reportedly taking place for a further interim period for the experienced 62-year-old.
His final stint ended when he gave way to Ryan Mason. It was a decision that seems farcical in retrospect.
Whoever takes the job faces a nearly impossible task. However, for a prestigious club like West Brom, League One football would be unthinkable. The clock is ticking.
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The Baggies are currently in the market for another new manager.
