West Bromwich Albion head coach Eric Ramsay is already feeling the heat after failing to win any of his first eight matches in charge of the Baggies.
What began as a campaign built on hopes of promotion to the Premier League has quickly spiralled into a battle to avoid slipping toward EFL League One. It’s been a nightmare season for the Midlands club, who parted ways with Ryan Masonin early January following a tenth consecutive away defeat before turning to the highly rated Minnesota United boss.
Ramsay, 34, arrived at The Hawthorns on the back of an impressive spell in MLS, but the step into the Championship has proven brutal. Just eight games into his tenure, he already finds himself under intense scrutiny.
If chairman Shilen Patel decides to act, here are three realistic options the club could consider.
Slaven Bilic
A hugely popular figure among Albion supporters, Bilic remains fondly remembered for guiding the club to Premier League promotion in 2020. Since leaving The Hawthorns later that year, the Croatian has had spells with Beijing Guoan, Watford and Al-Fateh, and has been out of work since August 2024.
Now working in punditry as of February 2026, Bilic has been linked with a managerial return and reportedly turned down Blackburn Rovers after Valerien Ismael departed.
A reunion with West Brom would feel logical. Bilic knows the club, understands English football inside out, and has the motivational qualities to galvanise a struggling dressing room. With new ownership in place, he could provide the short-term stability needed to steer Albion clear of danger.
Marti Cifuentes
Another free agent option is former Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City boss Marti Cifuentes.
Although his stint at Leicester ended abruptly in January amid financial turmoil, his work at Loftus Road stands out. Taking over QPR while they were in the relegation zone, he guided them to a comfortable mid-table finish despite having no prior EFL experience.
Cifuentes favours a possession-based, proactive style and is tactically flexible — a key trait in the Championship. While perhaps less of a quick-fix than Bilic, he could represent a more forward-thinking, long-term appointment if Patel is planning beyond immediate survival.
Leave a Reply