Eric Ramsay on the brink: Five contenders ready to save West Brom
Shilen Patel may need to ready his third new head coach contract this season.
West Brom lost 2-0 in a Midlands derby clash with Coventry on Saturday afternoon, plunging them further into relegation trouble.
Leicester were also able to take a point from their trip to Stoke, cutting Albion’s two-point gap over the Foxes in half.
It was always going to be a tough afternoon for the Baggies, but their league position no longer allows any game to be seen as one they can afford to lose.
So, with Eric Ramsay now winless from his first eight games in charge at The Hawthorns, if Albion are going to sack their second head coach of the season, it’s got to happen imminently.
West Brom News takes a look at five candidates who could replace Ramsay, and potentially save the Baggies from relegation.
David Wagner is ideal Eric Ramsay replacement
Neither one of Ryan Mason or Ramsay had any prior Championship managerial experience under their belts before being handed the West Brom job this season, which was perhaps a mistake with the benefit of hindsight.
Therefore, another dugout change is to occur, then Albion should give serious consideration to appointing a coach who does have a significant amount of second tier experience on their CV.
One possible candidate who definitely ticks that box is former Norwich City and Huddersfield Town boss, David Wagner.
The 54-year-old is now currently serving as RB Leipzig’s academy manager, having been sacked by Norwich in May 2024 in his last senior managerial role.
Wagner had actually guided the Canaries to a sixth-placed finish in the 2023-24 season, before losing to Leeds in the play-off semi-finals, for which he lost his job at Carrow Road for.
Since then, Norwich finished 13th last season and are currently sitting in 18th this term, just six points above the relegation zone.
Wagner also took Huddersfield Town from a bottom-half Championship side to the Premier League, and even kept the Terriers in the top flight with a 16th-placed finish in their first season at the level.
The American would be a superb appoint for Albion to make, as not only does he have experience of steadying turbulent ships, but also then kicking them onto promotion-contenders, and even winners.
Lee Carsley among other options for West Brom
Looking at other possible candidates now, and Lee Carsley’s name would sure to feature prominently in the betting should Ramsay get the axe.
The England Under-21 boss was among the favourites to take over after Mason’s departure, and the 51-year-old has done a superb job with the young Three Lions, winning back-to-back European championships.
Tony Mowbray could be a contender on an interim basis, as he remains a hugely popular figure with supporters, and his attacking brand of football could get Albion the goals they need to survive the drop.
Ralph Hasenhuttl would also be an intriguing option, as the 58-year-old was also among the leading fancies when Mason left, and has some top pedigree with Wolfsburg, Southampton and Leipzig respectively.
Finally, if Patel wants a short-term firefighter until the end of the season, then a Hawthorns return for Slaven Bilic shouldn’t be ruled out either.
The 57-year-old reportedly turned down the chance to manage Blackburn after Valerien Ismael’s sacking at the start of the month, but his emotional ties to West Brom could see him jump at a Baggies reunion.
For even more West Brom news and opinions, head over to Football Insider.