West Brom backed for Eric Ramsay appointment - key Ryan Mason difference made clear | OneFootball

FLW’s West Brom fan pundit has discussed the club’s appointment of Eric Ramsay.v

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

West Brom have confirmed the appointment of Eric Ramsay as their new Head Coach.

The Baggies have installed the former Minnesota United boss on a two-and-a-half-year deal, with the 34-year-old beginning his work with the first-team squad immediately ahead of their Friday evening clash against Middlesbrough.

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.

A positive for Ramsay is that he goes 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.

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

After Albion sourced Ryan Mason’s replacement, FLW’s West Brom fan pundit has discussed his thoughts about Ramsay’s appointment and whether he could be a success at The Hawthorns.

Speaking to Football League World, West Brom fan pundit Callum Burgess believes Eric Ramsay’s ability to get the best out of a limited playing squad and being adaptable fills him with more confidence that this appointment will be a success.

Callum told FLW: “I think that I’m feeling much more confident with the appointment of Ramsay then I was the appointment of Mason in the summer.

“With the accomplishments Ramsay has got at Minnesota United, getting them sixth and then fourth place despite a tight budget, he’s shown that he can obviously get the maximum amount out of players in his squad and that he can adapt his formations to whatever suits his players at his disposal.

“At times with Mason, if you could criticise him, you would say the squad was very unbalanced at times. The players weren’t suited to what he was asking of them, so I’m quite happy with the appointment.

“There’s obviously going to be concerns over his age, and although he has already managed two seasons in the MLS, his lack of experience as a permanent head coach in England might be something that you want more of, but I think there’s some optimism surrounding this appointment.”

Eric Ramsay has the potential to be an excellent West Brom boss

When looking at Eric Ramsay’s early managerial career, there are signs of optimism for West Brom supporters.

Ramsay has proven that he can get the best out of a limited playing squad with a tight budget in the MLS, ideal for Albion when they are foraging their way out of challenging financial difficulty and have been unable to invest heavily in the first-team themselves.

His style will aim to make Albion watertight at the back and be a side that no second-tier opposition wants to play against, with this kind of mettle so important if the club are going to get themselves back into the promotion conversation come May.

Controlling shareholder Shilen Patel revealed he appointed the 34-year-old into the Hawthorns hotseat given his teams are built on “intensity, organisation and adaptability”, so it will be interesting to see whether this Albion team can undergo an upturn in form and get back to the heights in the Championship of where they were under Carlos Corberan, who had similar methods to that of Ramsay.

Like our West Brom fan pundit alluded to, it is yet another risk given his age and lack of managerial experience at this level, but he is a boss who comes very well regarded, so all connected with the club will be hopeful that they have uncovered a gem that can transform their fortunes for the remainder of this season and beyond.