Why West Brom have appointed Eric Ramsay - Shilen Patel has revealed the reasons | OneFootball

Albion’s controlling shareholder has revealed why they chose Eric Ramsay to succeed Ryan Mason.

West Brom controlling shareholder Shilen Patel has revealed he has appointed Eric Ramsay due to his ability to build teams based on “intensity, organisation and adaptability”.

Albion have appointed the former Minnesota United boss on a two-and-a-half-year deal, with the 34-year-old beginning his work today with the first-team squad.

It’s the third manager under the Bilkul regime since Carlos Corberan departed The Hawthorns in December 2024, with Tony Mowbray and Ryan Mason failing to get the Baggies on an upwards trajectory.

There will be hope that Ramsay can be the man to find the formula, with the ex-Chelsea and Manchester United coach getting a Minnesota team to punch well above their weight in the MLS with limited resources.

Ramsay will also go into the job with the Albion squad on a high given their FA Cup victory away at Swansea City.

The Black Country outfit put an end to their miserable run on the road by drawing 2-2 with the Swans after extra time, and then prevailing 6-5 on penalties, with academy graduate Ollie Bostock sealing their place in the fourth-round draw.

Ramsay’s opening game in charge of Albion will be on Friday evening under the lights at The Hawthorns, as they welcome promotion-contending Middlesbrough to kick off the Championship weekend.

Meanwhile, the club announced Ramsay’s appointment on their club website late last night, and owner Shilen Patel has explained the reasoning for why Ramsay was the man for the job.

Shilen Patel outlines reasons for appointing Eric Ramsay

Published onto West Brom’s club website, controlling shareholder Shilen Patel included some comments on the appointment of Eric Ramsay, revealing he instilled the 34-year-old into the Hawthorns hotseat given his teams are built on “intensity, organisation and adaptability.”

Patel said: “Throughout our recruitment process, Eric consistently exhibited the qualities to lead and succeed in the world’s most demanding football environment.

“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.

“Eric impressed us as a person, a coach, and a fit for our squad. I am pleased to welcome him to The Albion as we work with purpose to seize the opportunities and confront the challenges before us.”

Eric Ramsay could be an exciting appointment for West Brom

When reading Shilen Patel’s comments on how Eric Ramsay likes to build his sides, it’s certainly encouraging, particularly when West Brom need to be that type of team if they are to taste success in the Championship.

Under Ryan Mason, his Baggies team looked lethargic and always prone to an error in defence, while the former Albion boss was unable to show enough bravery to change formation or personnel when being on the wrong side of results, so it appears the club have appointed the complete antithesis in Ramsay, which should benefit the club in the long run.

The fact Ramsay was also able to get the best out of a limited group of players and get Minnesota United pushing into the MLS play-offs is a promising sign, and Albion supporters will be hopeful he can work his magic here and get the club back to the heights in the Championship of where they were under Carlos Corberan.

A late charge for the play-offs isn’t too late for West Brom given so much football is still left to be played, but to have a realistic chance, they will have to come out of the blocks quickly and get results straight away under the new boss.

There’s a lot to like about Ramsay, with Bilkul hoping it’s third time lucky in appointing the right man into the dugout.