Former West Bromwich Albion coach James Morrison has joined forces with World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo at Serie A club Sampdoria. The 37-year-old Scot, who spent six years as a player at The Hawthorns before moving into coaching, has been appointed as an assistant manager under Pirlo, who himself took over the Sampdoria hot seat in June 2023.
Morrison's Coaching Journey
Morrison began his coaching career at West Brom after retiring from playing in 2019. He worked with the club's under-23s and later served as a first-team coach under Slaven Bilic and Sam Allardyce. His departure from West Brom was announced in June 2022, and he has since been seeking a new challenge.
Reunited with Pirlo
Morrison and Pirlo were teammates at Italian club Juventus during the 2012-13 season, where they won the Serie A title together. The pair have maintained a strong relationship, and Pirlo was keen to bring Morrison to Sampdoria to bolster his coaching staff. "James is a fantastic coach and an even better person," Pirlo said in a statement. "I am delighted to have him on board. We have a shared vision for the team, and his experience will be invaluable."
Sampdoria's Ambitions
Sampdoria, based in Genoa, are currently competing in Serie B after being relegated from the top flight in 2023. The club has set its sights on an immediate return to Serie A, and the appointment of Morrison is seen as a key part of that plan. Morrison added: "I'm thrilled to be working with Andrea again. He was a great player and now a top manager. I believe we can achieve something special here."
The move marks Morrison's first coaching role abroad and represents a significant step in his career. He will be tasked with helping to develop the squad and implement Pirlo's tactical philosophy.
