Jody Morris has had talks with West Brom about vacant manager role, wants job
Jody Morris believes he would be the “perfect fit” for the vacant managerial role at West Brom and talks have been held, Alex Crook reports.
The former Chelsea coach is one of a large number of possible candidates, but has surged into the spotlight in the last few days.
Frank Lampard’s former assistant at both Derby and Stamford Bridge has not held a role since the now-Everton boss was sacked in January 2021, but the 43-year-old is now ready to embark on his own managerial career.
Writing on Twitter on Friday afternoon (21 October) Crook said: “Jody Morris has met with WBA over their vacant manager’s job.
“He feels he would be a perfect fit but one of a big number of candidates they have spoken to.”
Eager
There is clear buy-in from Morris’ side to take the reins at the Hawthorns but Ron Gourlay needs to be absolutely certain of his credentials.
However highly rated he is from his time working at the Cobham academy of the London giants, and in an assistant role, it is a clear step up to take on the ailing Baggies midseason.
A wrong step at this point could condemn West Brom to a relegation battle, as one is already on the cards without a significant and sustained new manager bounce.
Gourlay and Morris have the connection via their respective histories at Chelsea, which may give the former midfielder an advantage over the others in the running.
But he is as yet unproven, and while there are valid comparisons to league-leading QPR boss Michael Beale, who also began his coaching career at Cobham and was number two to another legendary Premier League midfielder in Steven Gerrard before he took on his first managerial role at Loftus Road, the Rs man’s CV is more extensive than Morris’.
It is certainly one to keep and eye on, but surely has to be filed under high risk but high reward at a time when the Albion cannot afford to get an appointment badly wrong for a third time running in the second tier.
In other West Brom news, Sean Dyche remains on the market and closing doors elsewhere are pushing him towards the Hawthorns.