West Bromwich Albion have sacked head coach Ryan Mason following Monday’s 2-1 defeat at Leicester City, marking the end of his seven-month tenure at the Championship club. The loss extended the Baggies’ away defeat streak to 10 games, leaving them 18th in the table, seven points clear of relegation but 10 points off the play-off spots.

Mason’s Departure and Interim Management

Despite receiving public backing from sporting director Andrew Nestor just two weeks prior, Mason acknowledged that support did not guarantee job security. Following his dismissal, assistant Nigel Gibbs and head of performance Sam Pooley also left the club. James Morrison, the first-team coach, has taken interim charge, as he did at the end of last season after Tony Mowbray departed.

West Brom face Swansea City in the FA Cup this Sunday, with their next league fixture not until Middlesbrough visit The Hawthorns on 16 January. The club has confirmed that the search for a new head coach is already underway.

Ryan Mason’s Record at West Brom

The 34-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder joined West Brom on a three-year contract last summer, leaving Spurs’ coaching staff with a mandate to rebuild a youthful squad and introduce fresh ideas. Early in the season, Mason achieved three wins from the opening four league games, including victories over Blackburn Rovers, Wrexham, and Stoke City, signaling initial promise.

However, that momentum quickly faded. West Brom managed just six wins from the following 22 league games, including a first home defeat to Derby County that marked the beginning of a troubling downturn. Defeats by narrow margins—11 of 13 losses were by a single goal—highlighted both fine margins on the pitch and the club’s limited transfer resources.

Mason had pledged to “build a team that can win” but was unable to establish consistent results. The Baggies now face a crucial period under interim management as they attempt to avoid a record-breaking away defeat streak—the longest since Rotherham United’s 14 successive away losses in 2016-17.

Mason’s Perspective on the Season

After the Leicester loss, Mason told BBC WM:

“We are on a terrible run in terms of away games. But in our last seven or eight away matches, we’ve had more shots at goal, more shots on target, more chances created, and conceded very little. I am proud of the team and the performance, and we deserve so much more.”

He admitted the team’s struggle was compounded by off-field limitations, particularly in the transfer market, and emphasized the difficulty of navigating profit and sustainability rules while managing squad depth.

Expert Analysis

Steve Hermon, BBC Radio WM’s West Brom commentator, described Mason’s tenure as challenging, noting:

“Mason never fully connected with the fanbase, and while his coaching pedigree is strong, the results simply weren’t there. The club is 18th in the Championship, its lowest position in 25 years. Whoever takes over now will need experience and guile to navigate the relegation battle.”

Mason’s dismissal makes West Brom the eighth Championship club to part company with a manager this season, reflecting the high-pressure nature of the league and the owners’ ambition to climb the table.

Next Steps for West Brom

James Morrison will continue in interim charge for the FA Cup tie against Swansea City, but the Baggies hierarchy aims to have a permanent head coach in place before their next league game against Middlesbrough. The new appointment will face significant pressure to stabilize a squad that has struggled for consistency, particularly on the road.

Sporting director Andrew Nestor now faces the task of identifying a candidate who can maximize the squad’s potential within financial constraints, while restoring confidence among fans and players alike. After the gamble on a young coach did not pay off, West Brom’s next move could define their season.