West Brom hero James Morrison admits transition from player to coach was tough
West Brom coach and former midfield maestro James Morrison has opened up on what his journey has been like transitioning from a player to a coach.
Modern-day legend Morrison made 341 appearances for the Albion in 12 years at the club but brought his career to an end in 2019 at 33-years-old.
In 2020 he rejoined West Brom as the Under-23s coach, then was given a promotion by Sam Allardyce to the first-team squad.
Speaking to the Express and Star, ahead of the Clash of the Legends game at the Hawthorns, a celebration of Morrison and Chris Brunt’s time at the club, the former midfielder spoke about life after football.
“At first, I found it difficult, you’re a bit confused about what to do,” Morrison said.
“But the club have been great in allowing me to start with the Under-23s, which I fully enjoyed, and then I got a lucky break with Sam Allardyce, who wanted someone who knew the club. There’s no better learning curve than what I’ve had, and nothing prepares you for it, but you just learn on the way.
“You think it’s easy when you’re a player. Dealing with players is difficult, and learning to treat them as people and trying to divulge in that way, unravelling them as people and then learning what kind of player they are.”
Earned.
Saturday’s big charity clash is a well-earned reward for Morrison and Brunt’s time at the Albion, two greats who gave their all for the club through thick and thin.
The fact that both of them have current coaching roles within the club speaks volumes about how highly they are thought of in the West Midlands.
It’s an unofficial testimony, however, both of the legends will captain their respective teams after countless years of service to West Brom.
The pair have made an unthinkable 762 appearances for the club; no mean feat in today’s cash-and-grab nature of professionals showing little to no loyalty to clubs.
Hopefully, the pair get a jam-packed Hawthorns and a much-deserved standing ovation on Saturday afternoon; it’s the least fans can do to repay them for their time at the club.
It will be interesting to see if either of the pair makes the next move into management from coaching, I for one could somehow see Morrison following in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
In other West Brom news, Albion are struggling to sell tickets for a match this weekend with fewer than 10,000 sold.