WBA Manager: Current, History, Salary & Staff (2026 Guide)

West Bromwich Albion has burned through four head coaches in less than two years, a managerial merry-go-round that would test the patience of any fanbase. James Morrison now sits in the hot seat after steering the club to Championship survival with an unbeaten interim run — but whether he brings lasting stability remains the club’s defining question. This guide pulls together everything from the current setup to the club’s long managerial history, with facts backed by official sources wherever they exist.

Current head coach: James Morrison (appointed January 2026) · First manager (post-1948): Fred Everiss (1948) · Most recent permanent appointment: 30 January 2026 · Previous appointment: Eric Ramsay (11 January 2026)

Who is the current WBA manager?

James Morrison’s appointment

James Morrison took over as West Brom’s men’s first-team head coach on 30 April 2026, signing a two-year contract after an impressive interim spell. Morrison originally stepped in on 4 January 2026 following Eric Ramsay’s dismissal, and his unbeaten run — four wins, six draws, and seven clean sheets across ten Championship matches — convinced the board to make the appointment permanent. “I am honoured and humbled to be appointed head coach of West Bromwich Albion,” Morrison said in the club’s official statement, describing the club as “a great football club.”

The appointment came at a turbulent time. West Brom had received a two-point deduction from the EFL on 24 April 2026 for breaching profit and sustainability rules. Morrison secured Championship survival the following day, transforming what could have been a relegation disaster into a staying-up story.

Season performance under Morrison

As interim head coach, Morrison oversaw 10 matches without defeat. The run included four victories, six draws, and notably seven clean sheets — a defensive record that proved decisive as West Brom navigated the pressure of the EFL deduction and the threat of dropping into League One.

His tactical approach during this period emphasised defensive solidity, a pragmatic shift from the more expansive style attempted earlier in the season under previous head coaches.

Previous head coach Eric Ramsay

Eric Ramsay lasted only nine games in charge, departing with zero wins from his brief tenure. He was appointed on 11 January 2026 on a two-and-a-half-year contract, moving from Minnesota United. The quick sacking reflected the board’s frustration with the club’s slide down the table and a winless run that placed survival in genuine doubt.

Ramsay’s appointment itself came after Ryan Mason’s dismissal earlier that same month, creating a situation where West Brom effectively went through three head coaches in the space of roughly six weeks.

What is the complete list of West Brom managers?

Fred Everiss and the creation of the role

West Brom’s managerial structure as recognised today began in 1948, when Fred Everiss retired from his dual role of club secretary and manager and the position of manager was formally created. Everiss had served the club for decades, and his legacy as the first official post-war manager set the template for the role’s evolution at The Hawthorns.

The club’s history since then reflects both the ambitions and the upheavals of English football’s second tier. Compiled records suggest West Brom have had approximately 35 managers since 1890, illustrating a long tradition of managerial turnover by modern standards.

Managers in the 21st century

Roberto Di Matteo guided West Brom to automatic promotion from the Championship in the 2009-10 season, one of the more celebrated recent managerial achievements. Tony Mowbray and Roy Hodgson also held the position, with Hodgson later moving to Liverpool and the England national team — a testament to West Brom’s occasional role as a stepping stone for managers.

Carlos Corberán served from 2020 to 2024, signing a contract extension in December 2024 intended to keep him at The Hawthorns until summer 2027. Sky Sports reported the new deal came after Corberán rejected advances from Leeds United, suggesting the club had finally found a manager capable of building something stable. That stability proved short-lived.

Notable managers in club history

Ron Atkinson’s spell from 1978-1981 brought West Brom third place in the First Division and European qualification — a high-water mark for the club’s top-flight ambitions. Pepe Mel managed the club in 2014, part of a period of flux that saw multiple managerial changes in quick succession.

The common thread across these eras is the club’s tendency toward change when results disappoint. Whether that pattern reflects the ambition of the club’s ownership or the pressures of Championship football remains open to interpretation.

What is the WBA manager’s salary?

West Brom does not publicly disclose head coach salaries, and no verified figure exists for James Morrison’s contract. This is standard practice across English football, where club finances remain largely private.

Industry reporting suggests Championship head coaches typically earn between £500,000 and £1.5 million annually, though these figures vary widely based on experience, previous achievements, and negotiation. Performance bonuses, contract length, and relegation clauses are common features of such agreements.

Factors influencing manager pay

The 30% reduction in West Brom’s playing budget, cited by Corberán in a BBC Sport interview from December 2024, suggests the club operates under tighter financial constraints than many Championship rivals. This affects both recruitment and managerial wages — a head coach accepting the West Brom job is accepting a role with limited resources and heightened expectations.

Performance bonuses likely play a significant role in any contract negotiation. Morrison’s immediate brief — stabilising the squad and pushing for a mid-table finish without the threat of relegation — represents both a sporting and financial imperative for the club.

Comparison with Championship average

Championship clubs spend varying amounts on managerial wages. Those with promotion ambitions typically pay at the upper end of the scale, while clubs focused on survival often operate with smaller budgets and shorter contracts. West Brom, given its recent instability and financial pressures, likely falls somewhere in the middle — competitive enough to attract experienced candidates but constrained enough to limit options.

Which West Brom managers have been sacked?

West Brom has undergone multiple managerial dismissals in recent years. Ryan Mason was fired in January 2026 after approximately seven months in charge, having won only a third of his games. Eric Ramsay lasted just nine matches before his dismissal, making him one of the club’s briefest managerial tenures.

The pattern reflects a club that has struggled to find continuity. Carlos Corberán’s exit to Valencia, while technically a resignation rather than a sacking, created the vacancy that began the chain leading to Mason, Ramsay, and now Morrison.

Recent sackings

Mason’s dismissal came after a run of poor results that left the club hovering above the relegation zone. His appointment from Tottenham Hotspur, where he served as assistant coach, was seen as a statement of ambition — but that ambition proved difficult to sustain in the Championship’s demanding environment.

Ramsay’s appointment represented a different gamble: an younger candidate from American football with limited top-level experience. The experiment ended quickly, with no wins from nine matches forcing the board’s hand.

Reasons for dismissal

Results remain the primary driver of managerial changes at West Brom, as at most clubs. However, the broader context — the EFL’s two-point deduction, the 30% budget reduction, and the pressure of operating in a financially constrained environment — suggests that managerial performance cannot be viewed in isolation from the club’s structural challenges.

The question for Morrison is whether he can break this cycle. His interim record suggests he connects with the squad, but sustained success will require resources the club may struggle to provide.

Who are the members of West Brom’s coaching staff?

West Brom’s first-team staff has changed with each head coach appointment, following the common practice of managers bringing in their own support teams. The current setup under Morrison includes assistant head coach Matt Gill, with first-team coaches including Gavin Strachan and others whose full details appear in the club’s official staff listings.

Academy Manager Richard Stevens has remained in his role since October 2019, providing continuity in the club’s youth development structure even as the first team has cycled through multiple head coaches. His presence represents one of the few constants in West Brom’s coaching setup during this period of upheaval.

Assistant head coaches

Matt Gill serves as assistant head coach under Morrison, bringing his own experience to the setup. The pattern of head coaches appointing trusted assistants is well-established in English football, though the specific backgrounds and roles of support staff vary case by case.

First team coaches

Gavin Strachan is among the first-team coaches listed at West Brom, part of the backroom team assembled to support the head coach’s work. The composition of this team typically reflects the tactical priorities and Football philosophy of the current manager.

Other support staff

Beyond the headline coaching roles, professional clubs employ goalkeeping coaches, fitness coaches, sports scientists, analysts, and other specialists. The exact composition and names of West Brom’s full support staff appear in the club’s official documentation, with changes occurring as head coaches come and go.

Timeline signal

Four managerial appointments, one departure, and a points deduction compressed into roughly 16 months illustrate the scale of upheaval at The Hawthorns.

The timeline shows a club in constant motion, with each appointment responding to immediate crises rather than long-term planning. Morrison’s permanent appointment represents an opportunity to break that pattern — but the financial and structural pressures remain.

Confirmed vs Unclear

What sources say

I am honoured and humbled to be appointed head coach of West Bromwich Albion. It is a great football club.

— James Morrison, West Bromwich Albion FC official announcement

West Bromwich Albion appointed James Morrison as permanent coach on a two-year contract after he steered them to Championship safety.

— Reuters news agency

Carlos Corberán said West Brom’s playing budget had been reduced by 30% due to ongoing financial issues, affecting their activity in the transfer market.

— BBC Sport public broadcaster

For Championship managers, the playing budget reduction quoted by Corberán is not merely a background detail — it defines the ceiling of what any head coach can achieve. Morrison inherits a squad built under financial strain, with limited room for transfer market moves and a fanbase expecting progress despite the constraints.

Frequently asked questions