James Morrison makes one thing clear as West Brom dynamics completely change

James Morrison accepts the dynamics will now change at West Brom after he was formally named as new manager.

The former fan favourite landed the job permanently at the end of April after an impressive spell in caretaker charge.

West Brom won four and drew six out of 11 matches under Morrison after he was brought in to replace Eric Ramsay.

That was enough to land the job full-time, with Albion then going on to lose to Sheffield Wednesday in their final game of the campaign.

After guiding West Brom to safety, Morrison is clearly the man for the job. But he now faces a different dynamic with his playing squad.

James Morrison tells West Brom players 'to be ready'

Morrison was already well known to the Albion squad, which appears to have paid off as they certainly put in a shift for him.

A former player becoming boss can often be slightly awkward, with a fine line needed between friend and boss.

That is something Morrison has perhaps now alluded to in quotes attributed to the Express & Star, as he made clear he is the man in charge.

“We'll get a feel for it, because it's fresh," he said of the change now he's permanent manager.

“Now the dynamics have changed. I'm not the interim now, I am the head coach - they need to be ready for that.”

Morrison will know he cannot be too friendly with his players, though nor will he want to distance himself too much.

West Brom have lost their only game since Morrison's appointment was made permanent, but nothing too much can be read into that defeat.

Morrison's backroom team not yet locked in

Morrison will want his own team nice and settled in time for West Brom returning for pre-season later this month.

However, as has already been pretty widely reported, there is uncertainty over coach Matt Gill.

Gill played his part in keeping the Baggies up alongside Morrison, having gained experience working with Russell Martin at multiple clubs.

The pair were most recently together at Rangers, but Martin's sacking towards the end of last year left Gill out of work.

Martin now appears to be close to a return to management, which could leave Gill with a decision to make.

Morrison will just be eager for a decision one way or another so he can crack on with planning for 2026-27.