Nigel Quashie shares what he’s been told after Ryan Mason appointment at West Brom
West Brom will be hoping that next season can bring improvement and a little more stability at the club for the foreseeable future.
The Baggies endured a bizarre season that ultimately saw them go through four managers (including brief caretaker stints from Chris Brunt and James Morrison) and have a unique run of 10 draws from 11 games in the first half of the season.
They had flirted with the play-offs all season, but eventually finished a distant ninth place, four points off the Championship’s post-season spots.
| Club | GP | GD | PTS | |
| 6 | Bristol City | 46 | +4 | 68 |
| 7 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | +5 | 66 |
| 8 | Millwall | 46 | -2 | 66 |
| 9 | West Brom | 46 | +10 | 64 |
| 10 | Middlesbrough | 46 | +8 | 64 |
Former Tottenham academy coach Ryan Mason will be tasked with leading the West Midlands outfit into next season, after Tony Mowbray was relieved of his duties in the latter stages of the campaign.
Nigel Quashie reacts to Ryan Mason appointment
If the Baggies are to make the progress they will be hoping for next season, it was always going to be important that they addressed their managerial situation as quickly as possible this summer.
They lost previous boss Carlos Corberan to Valencia back in December, before handing Tony Mowbray the reins in the second half of the season. However, with Mowbray’s work not satisfactory in the end, to get Mason in place before the summer transfer window has even opened is a massive step in the right direction.
Aged just 33, the former Tottenham academy coach already has plenty of experience of taking charge of teams, having had his playing career cut short by a fractured skull back in 2018.
| Club | GP | GD | PTS | |
| 6 | Bristol City | 46 | +4 | 68 |
| 7 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | +5 | 66 |
| 8 | Millwall | 46 | -2 | 66 |
| 9 | West Brom | 46 | +10 | 64 |
| 10 | Middlesbrough | 46 | +8 | 64 |
The former midfielder has been part of the staff at the North London club since his retirement, and has taken charge of several different age groups within the academy, as well as having enjoyed two brief stints as interim boss of the first team.
Mason is set to take on his first permanent senior job at The Hawthorns, but Nigel Quashie believes he is definitely ready to take the step into senior management.
The former Baggies midfielder revealed on X (3 June) that he has been told that Mason is excellent at dealing with and developing young players, but also commanded respect from the senior professionals at Spurs.
Mason should be a good appointment for West Brom
It is difficult to see a negative side to the appointment of Mason for West Brom.
Although it is officially his first managerial job in senior football, his experiences from Tottenham will stand him in good stead for the role. Mason took charge of an EFL Cup Final back in 2021 and guided the Lilywhites into Europe, before again briefly taking charge in 2023.
His senior managerial experience may be limited overall, but he has overseen plenty of big games during those interim stints.
The 33-year-old will also be familiar with the rigours and demands of the Championship, having had loan spells in the second tier with both Doncaster Rovers and Millwall in the early stages of his playing career.
He will also bring an element of continuity from Mowbray, given his academy background. Mowbray is renowned in the Football League for developing and trusting young talents, and you would expect Mason to do the same.
His appointment could have a huge effect on the likes of Josh Griffiths and Caleb Taylor, who are arguably ready for more first-team minutes after impressive loan spells, plus Tom Fellows, who has already caught the eye of Premier League sides.
Appointing a manager with limited previous experience will always be a gamble to some extent, especially at clubs like West Brom, where expectations are so high. However, the Baggies’ gamble looks to be a calculated one on this occasion, and could play out perfectly next season.