West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison has described the club's 2025/26 Championship season as 'unacceptable' and pledged to begin rebuilding work immediately.
The Baggies narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 21st in the second tier - their lowest league position since the 1999/2000 campaign, although they finished two points better off than the previous season.
Morrison's Verdict
Morrison, the third manager of a turbulent season, steered Albion away from the relegation zone and insisted such a performance cannot be repeated. Players will now take a break while staff hold talks and finalise plans for essential squad repairs during the summer.
'It's not acceptable where we are,' Morrison told the Express & Star. 'We are going to be trying to improve from day one. I've learned as a group what they need in that sense.'
Final Day Defeat
A desperate campaign ended with a defeat at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough, where the reborn hosts ended Albion's 10-match unbeaten run under Morrison. That impressive run was crucial in the Baggies finishing one place and four points above the drop zone.
Without the EFL's two-point penalty, Albion would have finished 19th. The club continues to reserve the right to appeal once written reasons are received from the governing body.
Morrison's Reaction
Morrison was deeply unhappy with his side's performance at Hillsborough in the final fixture. 'Yes, I've drawn a line under it after the game,' he added after his first match since signing a two-year contract as permanent head coach. 'I've sort of calmed down, because I'm not going away from the fact what they've given me. I've got to remember that. They gave me everything for the games that they did get results.'
