West Bromwich Albion have appointed Eric Ramsay as their new head coach, marking a significant move for the Championship club and the young manager. The 34-year-old replaces Ryan Mason, who was sacked earlier in the week following a string of poor results. Mason's dismissal came after a 2-1 defeat at Leicester City, which extended the Baggies' away losing streak to ten games and left them in 18th place in the Championship table.
Ramsay arrives at The Hawthorns from Minnesota United, where he held his first senior managerial role. During his time in Major League Soccer, he guided the team to back-to-back Conference play-off semi-finals and led them to their highest league finish, fourth in the Western Conference last season. West Brom agreed to a compensation deal with Minnesota United to secure Ramsay's services. He has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
Prior to his stint in the United States, Ramsay made a name for himself as a first-team coach at Manchester United, working under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, and Erik ten Hag. He joined United in 2021 as a set-piece and player development coach. His responsibilities grew to include tactical training and working closely with prominent players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford, and Bruno Fernandes. Ramsay also had a brief spell as an assistant coach with the Wales national team in 2023.
Ramsay's coaching journey began after graduating from Loughborough University with a first-class honors degree in Sport Science with Management. He then spent nearly four years at Swansea City, coaching the club's under-21s and under-18s. In 2017, he became academy manager at Shrewsbury Town, later serving as interim first-team manager and then first-team coach. Before joining Manchester United, Ramsay also coached Chelsea's under-23 squad.
West Brom chairman Shilen Patel expressed his confidence in Ramsay's ability to lead the team. "Throughout our recruitment process, Eric consistently exhibited the qualities to lead and succeed in the world's most demanding football environment," Patel stated. "In his time as a head coach, his teams have been characterised by intensity, organisation, and adaptability – all critical for the sustained success and growth that we envision in the short and long term".
Ramsay will be assisted by Dennis Lawrence, who joins him from Minnesota United. Lawrence previously worked as a first-team coach alongside Roberto Martinez at Wigan Athletic and Everton, and with Mark Robins at Coventry City.
Ramsay's first game in charge will be a home fixture against Middlesbrough on Friday. West Brom fans will be hoping that Ramsay can quickly turn things around and guide the team up the Championship table.
