James Morrison has paid tribute to West Bromwich Albion managerial predecessor Carlos Corberan for his work with Callum Styles.
The versatile wide man played a major role in securing West Brom's Championship status at the end of the season.
It had been a dismal campaign for the Baggies for long stretches, with the tenures of Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay ending in disappointment.
Former midfielder Morrison took charge at the end of February, guiding Albion on a 10‑match unbeaten run to secure survival with games to spare.
As the squad returned to their usual levels under Morrison, Styles in particular thrived and is now expected to be a key figure as West Brom look to reset.
Styles has been an ever-present figure for West Brom over the past two seasons, with the Hungary international showcasing his remarkable versatility throughout.
During that time, he has featured in left midfield, central midfield, attacking midfield, right midfield, defensive midfield, as a second striker, as a winger, and at left-back.
| Styles’ 25-26 Championship stats | Result |
| Chances created | 38 |
| Successful crosses | 31 |
| Duels won | 217 |
| Defensive contributions | 260 |
| Average match rating | 7.0/10 |
For the majority of Morrison's stint thus far, the wideman by trade has started out at left-back, allowing Isaac Price to drift centrally from the left-hand side, with the nonstop energy of Styles being a huge asset for Albion.
Asked as to whether he could compete at the thick end of the division, Morrison is quoted by Birmingham World as saying: "Yes - I don't see why not.
"I think he’s enjoying his football here. I’m sure the hierarchy are very pleased with him, so are the fans, he’s in a good place.”
Joining from Barnsley in 2024, he has continued to improve at The Hawthorns, becoming one of the best utility men in the division,. with Morrison praising the work of former Baggies boss Corberan.
"I think he's been a great find," Morrison said. "He was playing in a Barnsley side at wing-back. We’ve made him into a left-back - Carlos did a brilliant job with him teaching him how to defend his position and he hasn’t looked back.
“I remember in the Euros when he played against Scotland, he was fantastic that night. He’s got all the attributes to play in midfield. He’s good on the ball, good energy, competes, and can see a pass.
“If that opening comes and he needs to fill it there are no qualms of him jumping in.”
Now 26, Styles is set to be part of a crucial West Brom group - one that will be aiming to reset and rebuild over the summer.
After a campaign as bruising as the one they’ve just come through, it is inevitable that any new season will be approached with caution.
There is a considerable amount of work required to restore the club to the expected standards, but one truth remains that as an institution, Albion should be operating in and around the promotion places whenever they are in the Championship.
Against that backdrop, this recent spell has fallen well short of what is acceptable, especially when a fiercely competitive division offered several teams clear openings to claim a play-off spot.
Morrison did manage to shift the trajectory and merits real credit for that, but expectations will rise next season. The same is true for those players who came to the fore in the run-in, Styles among them.
His boss believes that he could be among the core fighting at the thick end moving forward, though as mentioned, the level of expectation is about to change.
In the closing weeks of the season, Albion could legitimately cast themselves as underdogs. That label must now be discarded, with the club intent on re-establishing itself firmly among the contenders.
The hope at The Hawthorns is that, with a strong summer of recruitment and reset, the transformation can be accelerated.
For that to happen, though, it is essential that every department of the club is united and pulling in the same direction.