West Bromwich Albion have dismissed head coach Eric Ramsay following a dismal six-week spell that yielded no victories whatsoever.
The 34-year-old’s tenure at The Hawthorns lasted just nine matches, during which the Baggies slid from 18th position in the Championship to 21st.
The club now find themselves perilously close to the drop zone, sitting just one place above the relegation spots.
Ramsay had been appointed to replace former Tottenham figure Ryan Mason last month, but his inability to secure a single win proved fatal to his prospects.
Assistant coach Dennis Lawrence has also left the club alongside the departed head coach.
Prior to his arrival at West Brom, Ramsay had worked as a coach at Manchester United and spent two years managing MLS outfit Minnesota United – his only previous experience in a head coach role.
The club announced his departure through a notably brief 58-word statement, which also confirmed Lawrence’s exit from The Hawthorns.
Eric Ramsay oversaw just nine matches during his time in charge of West Brom
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“West Bromwich Albion have parted company with men’s first team Head Coach Eric Ramsay,” the statement read.
“Assistant Head Coach Dennis Lawrence has also departed The Hawthorns. The club would like to place on record its thanks to Eric and Dennis and wishes them well for the future.”
The club confirmed that first team coach James Morrison will assume control of the squad on an interim basis whilst the search for a permanent replacement gets underway.
James Morrison will replace Eric Ramsay at West Brom for the time being
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“First Team Coach James Morrison will oversee first-team affairs on an interim basis,” the statement added.
Morrison’s first assignment in temporary charge comes this weekend when West Brom travel to face Oxford United.
The fixture presents a genuine opportunity for the caretaker boss to make his case for the permanent role, with Oxford currently languishing in second-bottom position in the Championship table.
A positive result could provide much-needed breathing space from the relegation battle.
Ramsay’s final match in charge ended in a 1-1 stalemate against Charlton yesterday, a result that epitomised his struggles at the club.
Eric Ramsay only replaced Ryan Mason back in January
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His spell also included some particularly damaging defeats, most notably a 5-0 hammering at home to Norwich and a 3-0 reverse away at Portsmouth.
The Baggies’ precarious league position means they are separated from the relegation zone by the narrowest of margins.
Leicester currently occupy the final relegation spot directly below West Brom, adding local rivalry tension to an already fraught situation.
Morrison will be tasked with steadying the ship before a permanent appointment is made.
