Ryan Mason has been dismissed from his role as West Bromwich Albion head coach, leaving the club searching for a new man to take charge at The Hawthorns.
The Baggies confirmed on Tuesday morning that they have parted company with Mason, who was appointed in the summer as Tony Mowbray’s permanent successor. The role marked Mason’s first senior managerial post after spending several years coaching within Tottenham Hotspur’s setup.
While results were encouraging early on, West Brom’s form has deteriorated badly in recent weeks. The club have slipped to 18th in the Championship following four defeats in their last five matches, compounded by a club-record run of 10 straight away losses. With pressure mounting, the board decided a change was unavoidable.
James Morrison has been placed in temporary charge and will lead the team until a permanent appointment is made. As the search begins, here are three managers West Brom should seriously consider.
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is expected to be a popular option among the West Brom fanbase. Although his spell at Middlesbrough fell short of expectations overall, he inherited a struggling side and guided them into the play-offs during his first campaign.
With plenty of the season still to play, Carrick has shown he can engineer a turnaround. His Boro team were known for their attacking approach, and there is a sense that West Brom’s forward players could flourish under a similar philosophy.
Crucially, Carrick is currently unattached, which would allow for a quick appointment and give him the chance to influence January transfer business.
Jon Dahl Tomasson
Another strong candidate is Jon Dahl Tomasson, who has been linked with a return to the Championship since stepping down as Sweden manager in October. He was previously considered for vacancies at both Middlesbrough and Norwich City.
Although Sweden struggled towards the end of his tenure, Tomasson’s club-level record remains impressive. He led Blackburn Rovers into play-off contention despite financial constraints and enjoyed significant success with Malmö, winning two Allsvenskan titles.
His preference for proactive, attractive football could strike a chord with supporters eager for improvement after some uninspiring performances under Mason.
Steven Gerrard
The final name on the list is one that divides opinion. Steven Gerrard’s difficult spell at Aston Villa has led many to question his managerial credentials, particularly when compared to his highly successful time at Rangers.
However, Frank Lampard has recently overturned similar doubts at Coventry City, and Gerrard will be keen to do the same. His stature alone could help him gain instant respect in the dressing room and potentially draw players to the club.
A further point in his favour is the availability of his trusted assistant, Michael Beale. Given their achievements together in Scotland, West Brom could make a far worse choice than handing the reins to the experienced duo following Mason’s departure.
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