West Bromwich Albion are poised to usher in a new era at The Hawthorns after reaching an agreement to appoint Eric Ramsay as their new head coach. The 33-year-old, currently in charge of MLS side Minnesota United, is set to replace Ryan Mason, who was dismissed earlier this week.
Swift Move for Top Target
The Baggies' hierarchy moved rapidly to secure their man, having identified Ramsay as a leading candidate back in May. Although the club ultimately appointed Mason at that time, they maintained a keen interest in the Welshman's progress in the United States. The decision to sack Mason came after a disappointing run of form, with 13 defeats in 26 matches leaving Albion languishing in 18th place in the Championship, far adrift of the pre-season target of a top-six finish.
With the need for change clear, West Brom swiftly re-engaged with Ramsay. Our sister publication, the Express & Star, exclusively revealed that an agreement had been reached on Thursday night. Ramsay is expected to fly to England imminently to finalise the move, with West Brom prepared to pay compensation to Minnesota United to terminate his contract early.
Who is Eric Ramsay?
Despite his relative youth, Ramsay brings a wealth of experience from some of English football's top clubs. He began his coaching career with Swansea City's academy before taking on a role at Shrewsbury Town. A significant step came with a two-year stint as assistant manager of Chelsea's under-23 side.
His reputation grew further during his time at Manchester United, where he held a senior coaching position, while also working part-time as an assistant for the Wales national team. His first managerial role proved a success at Minnesota United, where he won 38 of his 81 games in charge. He notably guided the team to a headline-grabbing 4-1 victory over Lionel Messi's Inter Miami last season.
A New Project at The Hawthorns
It is understood that Ramsay was quickly convinced by the project presented to him by the West Brom board. His appointment signals a desire for fresh ideas and a modern coaching approach at the club. The task ahead is substantial, with the immediate priority being to lift the team away from the lower reaches of the Championship table and rebuild momentum for a push towards the play-off positions.
For Ramsay, this represents a major opportunity to establish himself in a high-profile role in English football. For West Brom, it marks the decisive start of a new chapter as they seek to reverse their fortunes under a highly-rated young coach with a pedigree from Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge.
