James Morrison tells West Brom players to be ready as he raises standards | OneFootball

James Morrison has told Albion’s players they must be ready as he steps up to permanent head coach.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the club legend, 40, begins his tenure later this month when the squad report back for pre-season.

The Scot has taken caretaker charge three times and, from February, navigated a relegation battle during a two-month interim spell. He aimed to change little then, but accepts the dynamics will now be different.

Morrison, an understated figure with deep knowledge of the club, is a two-time promotion winner who played nine Premier League seasons at The Hawthorns, and is known for demanding standards.

He says he will try not to alter too much, recognises the challenge, and intends to be himself. He says he knows what is right and wrong for the club, and wants to promote good people and improve players.

Decisions over his backroom staff remain unresolved. Albion want to retain influential coach Matt Gill, though Gill has long worked alongside out-of-work Russell Martin, who is linked with Blackburn, Watford and League One newcomers Leicester, among others.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com