West Bromwich Albion's managerial blueprint under Bilkul ownership was always clear: young, British, and up-and-coming. After the Tony Mowbray appointment and the failed pursuit of Raphael Wicky, the club set its sights on Ryan Mason. However, despite a promising start, the season unraveled.
A Season of Managerial Decisions
In January, while other clubs like Leicester City turned to experienced firefighters such as Gary Rowett, Albion stuck to their philosophy. Step forward Eric Ramsay, a coach who had served his time at a top club and made his mark in MLS. Some saw it as a risk; others praised Bilkul for consistency. It didn't work. Too many changes and a winless run saw Ramsay last just nine games.
With the team hurtling towards League One, Bilkul looked inward. James Morrison, already at the club, fit the model perfectly: young, British, and up-and-coming. And it worked remarkably. Ten games unbeaten, steering Albion to safety amid PSR adversity, Morrison turned around a side that seemed doomed.
A Back-to-Basics Approach
Morrison's approach—working harder, creating chances—has been transformative. He deserved the job; there was nowhere else to turn. In a season of bad managerial decisions, Bilkul have now got one out of three right.
Former sporting director Andrew Nestor and owner Shilen Patel faced criticism, sometimes rightly. Ramsay had credentials and will likely succeed elsewhere, but in hindsight, it was a naïve move. This latest appointment is the correct decision. It shows that Bilkul's ideas were right all along—but they should have looked inwards before looking out. Now they have, and it could be a masterstroke.
