Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media.

James Barker

Fri 24 April 2026 12:00, UK

West Bromwich Albion have seemingly confirmed their Championship status, as interim head coach James Morrison continues to impress at The Hawthorns.

Indeed, survival can’t yet be toasted in B71 due to West Brom’s ongoing situation with the EFL after being charged with an alleged breach of profit and sustainability (PSR) rules.

If found guilty, Albion face a points deduction depending on the severity of their potential breach, but the current expectation appears to be that it wouldn’t see more than four points taken off their total.

So, even if that was to be West Brom’s fate, that would still keep them four points above 22nd-placed Oxford United as things currently stand.

Therefore, West Brom look to have enough points on the board now to feel safe over their second tier status whatever happens, with the next priority being to decide on who becomes their next permanent manager.

What did James Morrison say when hired as West Brom interim?

It was announced on 4 March that Morrison would stay on as West Brom’s interim head coach for the rest of the 2025-26 season, following the sacking of Eric Ramsay.

Morrison’s interim appointment was criticised by some at the time, with there being suggestions that this was a decision made because it was an easy way out, and perhaps a quick way to appease some supporters.

When given the chance to become a caretaker manager, some coaches instantly take the opportunity to let people in positions of power know that they would be interested in taking the job on a full-time basis.

However, as quoted in an interview via BBC Sport at the time of being announced as Albion interim, Morrison didn’t go down that route, but did predict that he and his team would turn things around like they have done.

“After a period of poor results, it can take time to return to the level of performance required to win games in this division – but I remain confident that one result will help bring another,” Morrison said.

“It will not be easy and we’re going to have to work hard to get to that level. I completely appreciate that it can’t have been easy being a fan this season – and I’m not going to ask them to do anything.

“This is about us showing the fight and desire expected of a West Bromwich Albion team. Our fans will respond to that as they always do, with wholehearted, passionate support, that raises the roof of wherever we’re playing.

“I’m completely committed to getting us over the line, and I know from experience that when this club comes together in moments of adversity, it can achieve anything.”

What has Morrison said about permanent West Brom job?

So, now that he’s almost at the end of his duties when it comes to the Championship season, has Morrison been more vocal on whether or not he’d want the West Brom job full-time?

Well, yes and no. He’s dropped some hints that he would indeed be interested in becoming Albion’s new head coach beyond this season, but has also kept his cards pretty close to his chest.

As quoted via BirminghamWorld ahead of the 3-0 win over Watford on Tuesday night, Morrison said: “I’m enjoying it but I’ve said all along I just want to get to the end target.

“Then we can talk about it. There is going to be a time for me to answer that, so I will do so in a couple of weeks.”

Meanwhile, he’s been quoted in a report by The Irish News as saying: “It’s a conversation at the end of the season but I’ll always put this club first.

“It’s a massive club, it’s a big job to get this club back to the Premier League. Am I capable of that? Given the chance, who knows.”

That’s potentially a cheeky way of enticing Shilen Patel to offer him the job permanently, and at the very least, he’s made it very clear that he’s loving the experience.

Henry Winter believes Morrison has “worked wonders” at Albion

West Brom have been capturing the attention of the English football world both for their on-field turnaround, as well as their alleged PSR breach.

Morrison’s exploits at The Hawthorns are spreading far and wide, and esteemed football journalist Henry Winter, one of the most prominent voices in football media, has waxed lyrical over the job he’s performed as interim.

Posting to his X account after the win over Watford, Winter said: “In trying circumstances, James Morrison has performed wonders at West Brom. Albion looked doomed before he took over as interim.

“They’re now unbeaten in nine and staying up barring a damaging points deduction. Morrison dealt well with all the uncertainty over the threat of a deduction.

“He understands the club, played 341 times for them, is now in third spell as caretaker/interim, and has a connection with fans. Players clearly respect Morrison, are playing for him and playing well.

“Permanent appointment? That brings different challenges but so far Morrison has shown he can handle a challenge.”