West Bromwich Albion’s recent statistics under Eric Ramsay are undeniably concerning, providing multiple areas for scrutiny.
Firstly, there’s his 0% win record.
A mere four points from 24 available in the Championship, with only four goals netted.
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Additionally, they suffered their worst home defeat in club history outside the top tier.
Ramsay’s tenure lasted just 44 days and included nine matches in total.
Perhaps most alarming is that, following Ramsay’s dismissal on Tuesday, West Brom finds itself searching for a new head coach for the fourth time in just 11 months, prompting this search.
For a club that had just four permanent managers in 11 years between March 2000 and February 2011, this stat speaks volumes.
While Ramsay bore the brunt of the criticism, the management faces severe pressure as the threat of relegation to the third tier looms—a situation they have only encountered once before.
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So what led to Ramsay’s downfall, and with former midfielder James Morrison stepping in as caretaker for the third time, what are the next steps for the Baggies, who are assessed by football statisticians Opta as having a 50/50 chance of survival?
‘Wrong players, wrong positions, wrong systems’
Eric Ramsay drew four and lost five of his nine matches in charge of West Bromwich Albion [Getty Images]
Chris Hall, a writer for Albion fan publications, labeled it as “a disastrous appointment.” Meanwhile, BBC Radio WM’s Baggies reporter Steve Hermon likened it to “a horror movie.”
Regardless of these opinions, the decision to appoint 34-year-old Ramsay signified the club’s willingness to adopt a high-risk strategy.
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Albion’s previous experience with Ryan Mason, who was let go after seven months and a mere nine wins from 27 games, raised inevitable concerns about history repeating itself.
The only noteworthy managerial experience Ramsay had before joining Albion was two decent seasons with Minnesota United in Major League Soccer. His unconventional managerial style, favoring a three- or five-at-the-back system, posed challenges given the current squad’s capabilities.
Both Hall and Hermon emphasized the dangers of placing an inexperienced manager with a limited transfer budget, due to ongoing Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) issues, as a recipe for disaster.
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In his first match, Ramsay narrowly missed a point in a 3-2 loss to Middlesbrough, followed by a record-setting 5-0 defeat at home against Norwich, who ultimately eliminated them from the FA Cup three weeks later.
A defeat to Portsmouth at the end of January led to the abandonment of the 3-4-3 system, but it failed to improve results.
With only two points from three games and no goals scored, Ramsay faced immense pressure leading into a crucial match against Charlton. A late equalizer from Lyndon Dykes ensured Albion’s fate was sealed, costing Ramsay his job.
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“It was inevitable,” said former Albion midfielder Richard Sneekes on BBC Radio WM. “His choices for players, positions, and tactics were consistently poor.”
“Even in the Charlton match, his lineup was questionable—with three defensive midfielders and Isaac Price deployed in an unsuitable position.”
‘Out of his depth and confusing tactics’ – Fans’ views
Fans of Albion have not hesitated to voice their dissatisfaction with the club’s current situation. Here are some sentiments expressed on the Baggies’ BBC club page.
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Stephen T: “He was always the wrong appointment; his tenure has been a disaster from day one.”
Stephen W: “It was the right decision to sack Ramsay, though it should have happened after the loss to Coventry. He seemed out of his depth and his tactics—along with the misplacement of players—were perplexing.”
Rohan: “I dislike the idea of sacking managers, but even though he was a decent guy, Ramsay’s terrible record speaks volumes.”
Chris: “Albion were likely justified in sacking Ramsay, but this merely masks the deeper issues at the club. Whether we remain in the same division next season or not, a thorough internal review is necessary this summer for the club to progress.”
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Nigel: “The club is a shambles right now, a direct result of an owner who doesn’t understand English football. Decision after decision has been poorly made.”
Morrison? Moore? Who will Albion appoint?
James Morrison has taken on a temporary management role following the departures of Tony Mowbray, Ryan Mason, and now Eric Ramsay (right) [Getty Images]
Ramsay’s setback has undeniably intensified the scrutiny on chairman Shilen Patel and his staff.
While they have effectively managed the club’s finances, they have struggled to make sound footballing decisions.
Three managers have passed through Patel’s tenure in just under two years, as has sporting director Andrew Nestor, who advocated for both Mason and Ramsay and must now face the consequences of those choices.
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With Nestor’s departure, Ian Pearce, a former defender and director of football operations, will now oversee recruitment without any buffer against future scrutiny.
All involved must deliver a solution regarding Ramsay’s replacement, and it has to be the right choice.
Morrison, who remains unbeaten in three interim matches, will lead the team against Oxford United on Saturday. Observers believe he is the “most likely scenario” to continue as manager for the rest of the season, according to fan writer Chris Hall on the 72+ podcast.
“Where they go from here is uncertain,” he reflected. “Should they seek an experienced figure to guide the ship? They may have to look for someone available without a club currently.”
Darren Moore had a four-and-a-half-year playing career at West Bromwich Albion and served as head coach from December 2017 to April 2018 [Getty Images]
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While Morrison has ties to past failures, his deep connection with the club—recently stating that the Baggies are “in his DNA”—may alleviate some concerns.
BBC WM’s Steve Hermon noted that “‘Mozza’ has demonstrated the ability to be independent when given control.”
With Daryl Dike being somewhat neglected under previous management, he has started in two of the three matches Morrison has overseen, remaining unbeaten.
Despite Morrison being less experienced than either Mason or Ramsay, there’s speculation about whether the team needs yet another new voice or if it’s better to settle with someone who has a profound commitment to the club, especially as they aim to avoid only their second-ever drop to the third tier with just 12 games left.
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Another former player and manager, Darren Moore, is currently available after being sacked by Port Vale in December.
Sneekes expressed that he could see the 51-year-old, who contributed to the club’s famed 2005 “Great Escape” from Premier League relegation, stepping in as a “helper” until the end of the season.
“We need a strong-minded individual, and Moore fits the bill,” Sneekes mentioned on BBC Radio WM. “We should ensure we’re tough to beat and align players appropriately.”
Albion facing ‘the biggest game in 20 years’
Even though stepping up is familiar territory for Morrison, the stakes are considerably high.
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The team currently sits just one point above the relegation zone, and Morrison understands the gravity of dropping to the third tier for the first time since the 1990-91 season has far-reaching implications.
“The match against Oxford is going to be crucial — possibly one of the largest games in the last 20 years,” remarked Sneekes.
“The players have the talent. If positioned correctly, they can definitely secure their place.”
It’s a perplexing situation: if Saturday’s match goes well, will the board still look to bring in an outside replacement?
That remains unclear.
A win, with the team seeking their first victory in 11 Championship matches, would significantly boost their chances of survival — a precarious situation that mathematics suggest is all too close to call.
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Ultimately, it’s crucial that West Brom make their next appointment a successful one.