Kevin Phillips reacts as West Brom keep hold of James Morrison
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips is delighted with new West Brom manager Valerien Ismael for keeping James Morrison among the backroom staff at The Hawthorns.
Morrison hung up his boots in 2019 but has since played a role behind the scenes at the Baggies, starting off as an academy coach before being promoted to coaching the first-team when Sam Allardyce was appointed in December.
Despite Big Sam’s exit, Morrison has been kept on by the Baggies with the Express & Star reporting he will remain as part of the furniture at The Hawthorns with Ismael at the reigns.
Phillips met Morrison not too long ago and he’s happy to see that one of the club’s longest-serving modern-day players is continuing to play a role at the Albion.
Speaking to West Brom News, Super Kev said: “That’s definitely good news.
“I bumped into Mozza a few weeks ago and he wasn’t who was coming in but now [Ismael] has.
“That’s clever really. You don’t want to get rid of everyone, you want a connection between the players and a member of staff who’s been there and done.
“He’s been there years. It’s just sensible.
“We don’t know what sort of role he has, whether it’s day-to-day coaching but definitely having someone like that in and around the football club is just common sense.”
West Brom have confirmed that Ismael has still brought in his own coaching team at The Hawthorns with Andy Murray arriving as assistant manager.
The brilliantly named Jonny Northeast has also been appointed as West Brom’s sports science coach and Jack Riley has arrived as the club’s new video analyst.
Ismael clearly struck a good chord with his coaching team at Barnsley so it makes sense for him to try and implement a similar process at The Hawthorns while also having someone like Morrison to support him.
In other West Brom news, Jake Livermore could lose the captain’s armband after what happened last week.
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