Credit: Manh Tung/Breaking Media

Scott Mason

Tue 12 May 2026 10:35, UK

West Bromwich Albion’s season did not go to plan by any means whatsoever, but that does not mean optimism for the next campaign cannot be found.

The Baggies fanbase will have wanted a push for Premier League football after narrowly missing out on the play-offs in 2024-2025 and failing to win them in 2023-2024.

However, it ended up being a relegation battle that the Hawthorns club found itself in, with the managerial reigns of Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay failing dramatically.

James Morrison then took over, and the future of West Brom has been cast in much better light. As an interim manager, his results brought the Baggies out of the relegation conversation and earned him the permanent job.

While going from a relegation-trodden side to a promotion-pushing outfit may seem like a stretch for next season’s West Brom, there has just been an example to showcase they could pull it off.

Hull City example will provide plenty of optimism for West Brom

Hull City have made the play-off final after defeating Millwall 2-0 at the Den on Monday, 11 May.

The Tigers, despite finishing sixth, now are one game away from becoming a Premier League club once more.

Supporters of West Brom will no doubt be jealous of the situation Hull have now found themselves in, but their journey may show that good times are not too far away.

The Championship is one of the most difficult and competitive leagues in football, and it can offer plenty of swings over the course of just one summer.

In 2024-2025, Hull City finished 21st in the Championship and now, a year on, are in the play-off finals.

Now, the Baggies find themselves in the same league position of 21st and will hope to follow in the Tigers’ example next season.

Additionally, during Morrison’s interim spell, he did have West Brom on a play-off pushing pace.

West Brom must start next season off quickly

West Brom will need the early-season momentum to put their relegation worries behind them.

It will not be long until the Baggies learn their fixtures for the 2026-2027 season, with the Premier League relegation battle, the Championship play-offs and League One play-offs still to decide the teams that will be part of the 24.

Next season will also have more play-off positions available, offering another route to promotion for the B71 outfit.

If Hull are anything to go by, there is plenty of reason to believe the Baggies can follow suit in their example.

However, this season’s ghosts could still linger despite the excellent work Morrison has done, making a positive start all the more important in 2026-2027.