James Morrison speaks for first time on being appointed as West Brom’s new permanent head coach, after goign 10 games unbeaten.
During his recent spell as Interim Head Coach Morrison secured Sky Bet Championship survival with four wins, six draws and seven clean sheets.
The 39-year-old, who has lost just one of his 14 games in charge of the Baggies, has signed a two-year contract.
Morrison made 341 appearances in his 12 years as a player at The Hawthorns, scoring 39 goals, while earning 46 caps for Scotland.
The journey continues… 🫡 pic.twitter.com/xuRcsBwQbz
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) April 30, 2026
Mozza's first words as gaffer. 🗣️
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) April 30, 2026
Morrison said: “I’m honoured and humbled to have been appointed head coach of this great football club.
“The togetherness we have displayed in recent months – as players, staff, directors and fans – shows the enormous power of the Albion when it’s focused on a collective goal. We must now use that passion and energy to set the club back on course for success.
“Right now, my focus is on preparing the team for our final game at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday – but to go to Hillsborough knowing our fate has already been settled on the pitch is down to the hard work of everyone at The Hawthorns.
“I would like to thank everyone for their efforts during my time as interim – not least the fans who backed us to safety. I will never forget the end to the Ipswich game when it felt like it was us against the world, with the atmosphere off the pitch matching the efforts of the players on it. Here’s to more of that, please.”
Albion Chairman Shilen Patel added: “James has led the club out of a real moment of adversity, and I would like to thank him and his staff for helping to bring us all together.
“We did not survive by accident, and James’ appointment is thoroughly deserved. His burgeoning leadership was key to inspiring and uniting the entire club when we needed it most. He embodies what this club is about and conveys the standards expected by our fans.
“James has all the qualities required to take this club forward and I am excited by a future with him leading our players.”
Morrison said on keeping the club up following a 0-0 draw with Ipswich: “Before the game, I told the lads how proud I am of them. What they’ve achieved, even though the job wasn’t done, confirms to me that the group have come so far and that they’re in a good place.
“I knew we’d be in the game today. The fight and desire that we’ve got to do the dirty work is incredible. Fatigue set in for us at around 70 minutes, and we went into survival mode when we felt their pressure – the lads stuck in and carried on until the end.
“We had chances in the game. They had a few chances in the first half and we had some great opportunities. In games like this, it’s all about taking those moments when they come.
“All in all, with the performance, I can’t ask for much more than that. The lads have given me everything, and I’m proud of them.
“It shows how far we’ve come and how we’ve used that momentum. It shows how quickly things can turn around with a bit of hard work and just by doing the basics of football.
“If you work hard with the preparations that you put into every game, stand tall and avoid the negativity, you’ll get the rewards. The lads have done incredibly well to do all of those things.
“My favourite part of this run that we’ve been on is right now, or when the final whistle went. We’re relieved, and we’ll enjoy special moments like this, the lads being in the dressing room, and I will remember this.
“The fans over the years have been excellent. They’ve given me a warm feeling. I’m quite a reserved character, so it’s all about the players really, they’re the ones who step over the line.
“In difficult moments, they’ve turned up. You can judge what they’re like when things get tough, and they’ve performed – things could’ve been a lot different today, but we’ve blocked it out and used it as a tool to bring us together.”
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