Image source: bbc.com
West Bromwich Albion have sacked head coach Ryan Mason following Monday’s 2-1 defeat at Leicester City, which extended their away losing streak to 10 consecutive matches and left the Championship club 18th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.
West Bromwich Albion Dismiss Ryan Mason After Seven Months Following Leicester City Defeat
The 34-year-old former Tottenham coach has been relieved of his duties after just seven months in charge, with the club also confirming the departures of assistant Nigel Gibbs and head of performance Sam Pooley. First-team coach James Morrison will take interim charge, having previously filled the role for the final two games of last season following Tony Mowbray’s departure from The Hawthorns.
Mason’s dismissal comes despite receiving public backing from sporting director Andrew Nestor just two weeks ago, though the head coach had acknowledged that support would not provide him with immunity from dismissal. The Leicester defeat marked West Brom’s fourth loss in five games over the Christmas period and left them 10 points adrift of the Championship play-off places with their away form proving particularly problematic.
West Brom won nine of Mason’s 27 games in charge across all competitions, including an encouraging start to the season that saw them take 10 points from their opening four Championship matches. However, momentum quickly dissipated with only six more victories in the subsequent 22 league fixtures, while 11 of their 13 defeats came by a single-goal margin highlighting the fine margins that ultimately cost Mason his position.
The club confirmed in a brief statement that the process of recruiting a new head coach and staff is already underway, with West Brom becoming the eighth Championship club to part company with their manager this season. Morrison will oversee Sunday’s FA Cup tie away to Swansea City before the club’s next league fixture against Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns on January 16.
Mason had pledged to build a team capable of challenging for promotion when he arrived on a three-year contract from Tottenham’s coaching staff, but was unable to transform the Baggies into genuine contenders despite a summer rebuild that reduced the squad’s average age. The former England midfielder’s tenure was hampered by limited transfer resources and player sales including Tom Fellows and Torbjorn Heggem to comply with profit and sustainability regulations.
