Credit: Imago

Mark Smith

Sun 31 May 2026 10:30, UK

West Bromwich Albion are looking ahead to the new Championship season with James Morrison in charge.

After battling relegation under three different managers last season, the Baggies were saved by their former midfielder, who was handed the keys full-time.

Despite defeats in his first and last games in charge last season, Morrison oversaw an incredible unbeaten run to secure safety, despite a points deduction.

Blackburn were another who managed to secure their spot in the second-tier, with Oxford, Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday all relegated.

And when West Brom take on the Rovers next season, there could be a very familiar face in the dugout.

Blackburn manager race heating up

As usual, West Brom will likely be targeting promotion next season.

Morrison will have some stiff competition, with Wolves, West Ham, Burnley and Southampton making it one of the toughest Championship seasons in recent years.

And Blackburn will want to be in that conversation, too.

Dave Challinor is the new favourite at Ewood Park, according to major bookmakers, but West Brom fans will spot Tony Mowbray as second in the running.

Another look will reveal Slaven Bilic, who is currently 6/1 to take over, alongside Russell Martin, who is being linked with everyone right now.

How did Slaven Bilic and Tony Mowbray do at West Brom?

Sometimes, returning managers can find it’s never the same, and that was the case for Mowbray at The Hawthorns.

It simply didn’t work, although there was no grudge held against him from the Baggies.

Mowbray did lift the Championship title at The Hawthorns back in 2008, and he will always be remembered fondly for taking the Albion back to the big time.

The same can be said for Bilic, who guided West Brom back to the Premier League in 2020, finishing second behind Leeds United.

It was a dramatic end to the season that year after defeat at Huddersfield, but it was a wonderful feeling to celebrate that achievement with the Croatian.

Despite that, and them both being in the running for the Blackburn job, not many West Brom fans would probably take them back.

Football is funny around nostalgia, and sometimes, it clouds judgment far too much.