‎“Forget Morrison” – West Brom backed to appoint highly-rated former Southampton manager

West Bromwich Albion face a major call over the future of interim head coach James Morrison after the impressive turnaround he has overseen during the second half of the campaign.  

The former Scotland international has guided the Baggies to Championship safety with a game still remaining, despite the club having to deal with a two-point deduction imposed by the EFL.

 Morrison stepped into the role following Eric Ramsay’s disappointing spell in charge, during which the team failed to register a single win. Since then, Albion have suffered just one defeat in 11 Championship fixtures under Morrison’s leadership.

The club are currently enjoying a ten-match unbeaten streak in the league and have recorded clean sheets in each of their last five outings.   

According to recent reports, Morrison is firmly in contention to land the position permanently, although the club are yet to make a final decision on their managerial plans.  

Why West Brom Could Look Beyond James Morrison   There is certainly a strong argument for handing Morrison the job full-time after the momentum he has created at The Hawthorns.   

Few supporters would object if he were given the opportunity to reshape the squad during the summer transfer window and build towards a stronger 2026/27 campaign.   

However, Albion’s hierarchy may still have reservations about committing to another relatively inexperienced coach after previously gambling on Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay this season.  

While Morrison’s short-term impact has been excellent, there may be concerns over whether he can maintain those standards across a demanding 46-game Championship season, especially with promotion expectations potentially on the table.  

At 39, Morrison has yet to manage permanently at senior level, oversee a major recruitment strategy, or handle the pressure that comes with chasing promotion.

He also lacks experience in the Premier League as a head coach.   Because of that, West Brom could decide that a more experienced appointment is the safer route heading into next season.  

Ralph Hasenhuttl Could Be the Ideal Alternative

If Albion choose to look elsewhere, one name previously linked with the vacancy could re-emerge former Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. Before Ramsay’s exit was confirmed, reports suggested the Baggies were considering a move for the Austrian coach, who has been without a club since leaving Wolfsburg.

Unlike Morrison, Hasenhuttl has already proven he can manage successfully at the highest level, particularly in difficult situations involving relegation battles.

During his time at Southampton, Hasenhuttl guided the Saints to Premier League survival on four separate occasions before departing during the 2022/23 season. Southampton were ultimately relegated later that year after his exit.

The 58-year-old later moved to Wolfsburg, where he secured consecutive 12th-place finishes in the Bundesliga before leaving the club last summer. Widely praised by former Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse, who once described him as “unbelievable”, Hasenhuttl’s managerial record stretches far beyond survival battles.

He enjoyed major success with RB Leipzig, leading them to second and sixth-place Bundesliga finishes, while he also won the 2. Bundesliga title with Ingolstadt. His achievements at Ingolstadt may be especially relevant for West Brom’s current situation.

Hasenhuttl transformed the club from mid-table in the second tier into league champions before steering them to an impressive 11th-place Bundesliga finish. That experience could make him an ideal fit for Albion as they search for a manager capable of not only improving the team in the Championship but also leading them successfully in the Premier League should promotion eventually arrive.

On paper, Hasenhuttl appears to possess the pedigree and experience needed for that challenge, whereas Morrison is still at the very beginning of his coaching journey. For that reason, West Brom could decide that pursuing the former Southampton boss is the smarter long-term move even if parting ways with Morrison after his recent success would initially divide opinion.