Confirmed: West Brom announce backroom return for ‘outstanding’ ex-Baggie
James Morrison has been appointed as West Brom U23s assistant manager.
The Baggies confirmed the appointment via on official statement to their club website on Friday afternoon.
The 34-year-old brought his playing career to an end last October, and has since been undergoing an extended trial period working with the Baggies’ reserve team setup.
And the club have now taken the decision to offer him a role supporting Deon Burton.
Speaking about the appointment, Academy boss Richard Stevens said: “We’re looking to re-shape the Under 23s programme a little bit which we hope will give the players a better chance to develop within the game.
“James will now play a big part in that and I’m delighted he has taken up this opportunity. He grew into it, started to love it and then you could see this massive desire to help with the 18s and 23s.
“He’s been outstanding and it’s brilliant to have a player of his significance to the whole club able to now impart that experience and leadership.”
This is a wonderful piece of news.
Morrison made himself part of the furniture at The Hawthorns during his own spell as a player, and there are few people who would be as qualified to educate up and coming talents on what it takes to make it at Albion.
With 341 appearances for the Baggies across all competitions, he is one of the most experienced players in the club’s recent history, and it really speaks volumes as to the togetherness and ethos of the operation that West Brom run that he has gone straight into a coaching role.
Morrison himself has admitted that he has caught the “bug” for coaching, and hopefully the can be the first step in a long and successful management career.
In other West Brom news, EFL deliver official update on proposed West Brom restart, outline Ch’ship voting intention.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.