The pressure is firmly on the hierarchy at West Bromwich Albion after the club confirmed the sacking of manager Ryan Mason in the wake of a dismal run of form.
A Run of Results That Became Unacceptable
Mason's departure, confirmed on the morning of Thursday, 8th January 2026, came after a damning sequence of ten consecutive away defeats. The final straw appeared to be a late loss at Leicester City, where travelling Albion fans made their feelings clear with chants of 'Ryan Mason get out of our club'.
Such a run of results on the road is considered simply untenable for a club of West Brom's stature and Premier League ambitions. While the team showed brief promise with early away wins at Wrexham, Stoke, and Norwich, the form collapsed entirely, with defeat following defeat regardless of performance levels.
Underlying Issues Beyond the Manager
Several key problems plagued Mason's short tenure of just seven months and 27 games. A chronic inability to hold onto leads, conceding crucial late goals against sides like Leicester and Charlton, was a major flaw. This was compounded by a general lack of goalscoring threat.
Injuries disrupted the squad, while the sale of key players like Darnell Furlong and Tom Fellows late in the transfer window left a gaping hole on the right flank. Mason's indecision in goal, alternating between Josh Griffiths and Joe Wildsmith, also bred instability at the back.
A Critical Crossroads for the Baggies
The board's next move is now under severe scrutiny. Their previous two appointments represented stark opposites: the experienced, popular Tony Mowbray followed by the young, project-based Ryan Mason. Neither strategy has yielded success, leaving the club in a precarious league position.
The spectre of League One, unthinkable for a club with West Brom's recent history, is now being mentioned by some concerned supporters. With the Championship schedule offering matches every few days, time to correct the course is still available, but it is rapidly diminishing.
The upcoming FA Cup weekend provides a brief respite and over a week to prepare for the next league fixture against Middlesbrough. This window allows the Albion board crucial time to conduct a thorough search. The next managerial appointment feels absolutely critical to stabilise the club and avert a deeper crisis.
