Eric Ramsay has officially begun his tenure as the new manager of West Bromwich Albion, holding his inaugural press conference on 15th January 2026. The former Manchester United and Chelsea coach takes charge with the Baggies sitting 18th in the Championship, ten points adrift of the play-off places, following a disappointing start under previous boss Ryan Mason.
Ramsay Praises Existing 'Strong Culture' at The Hawthorns
In his first public address since his appointment, Ramsay was quick to counter any narrative of a club in crisis. He emphasised that he has inherited a solid foundation from his predecessor, highlighting the positive environment he has encountered at the training ground in his initial days.
"I think it's a very coachable group," Ramsay stated. "The word professionalism has been used a lot by the staff that are around the group. There is a very strong culture of work... in no way do I feel like I'm going into a club, or a changing room where there's a cultural problem, or where there are problems with professionalism."
He specifically commended the support staff, including performance and sports science departments, for creating a framework he believes is conducive to success.
Focus on Daily Standards and Clarity
Ramsay, who arrives after a successful spell in charge of MLS side Minnesota United, outlined his immediate philosophy. Rather than making sweeping changes, his focus will be on building consistency and clarity within the existing setup.
"My job is to now make sure that that sense of positivity lasts," he explained. "I build real clarity in terms of the framework that the players are operating in... and we start to build some coherence and some consistency in terms of what's being asked."
He stressed that his strength lies in a day-to-day approach, concentrating on the standards of each training session and not looking too far beyond the next match, which is scheduled for Friday.
A Warm Welcome and Optimistic Outlook
The new head coach also revealed he has been warmly welcomed by both players and long-serving club staff, helping him settle quickly. He named first-team coach James Morrison, along with Damia Abella, Boaz Myhill, and Tony Strudwick, as key figures who have helped him and assistant Dennis Lawrence get their "finger on the pulse pretty quickly."
"It has felt like home pretty quickly, and I can only feel optimistic about the position I am in at the moment," Ramsay said. "I don't get a sense of walking into something that feels troubled. It is a tight-knit group of capable staff."
While the immediate task is to climb the Championship table, the underlying message from Ramsay's unveiling was one of stability and incremental improvement, backed by a belief that the necessary professionalism and culture for a turnaround are already in place at West Bromwich Albion.
