West Bromwich Albion remain in turmoil as their search for a new manager drags on following the dismissal of Eric Ramsay, and their latest defeat has only deepened the sense of crisis surrounding the club.
Albion’s slide continues after Oxford defeat
The mood around The Hawthorns has grown increasingly bleak, and the recent loss to Oxford United served as yet another damaging setback in what has been a disastrous campaign.
Even before kickoff at the Kassam Stadium, it had already been a turbulent week for Albion. Ramsay had been relieved of his duties just days earlier, becoming the latest managerial casualty in a season defined by instability and poor results.
Appointed in January to succeed Ryan Mason and handed a two-and-a-half-year contract, the 34-year-old’s tenure proved remarkably short-lived. After overseeing nine matches without registering a single victory, and watching the club’s league position deteriorate from seven points clear of relegation to just one point above the drop zone, the board decided change was unavoidable. Though the decision appeared ruthless, the statistics left little room for argument.
Former midfielder James Morrison once again stepped in as interim boss — notably for the third time — highlighting the ongoing instability within the club’s leadership structure. He travelled to Oxford fully aware that securing three points was not just important, but essential.
Instead, Albion suffered another crushing blow. Oxford, who had struggled defensively at home in recent months, struck twice before halftime — both goals coming from set pieces, an area Albion should have been capable of managing more effectively.
Stan Mills opened the scoring with a composed header from a corner in the 14th minute. Soon after, Will Lankshear doubled the advantage, nodding in a free-kick delivered by Cameron Brannagan, with goalkeeper Max O’Leary appearing uncertain in his positioning.
Two deliveries into the box resulted in two goals — a damning indictment of Albion’s defensive frailties.
There was a glimmer of hope when substitute Ollie Bostock pulled one back in the 33rd minute. His speculative effort from distance deflected significantly off Sam Long, wrong-footing goalkeeper Jamie Cumming and reducing the deficit to 2-1. At that point, the match still felt salvageable.
However, despite dominating possession with 70 percent of the ball and registering 16 attempts on goal, West Brom failed to break through again. The second half lacked urgency and creativity, with Albion struggling to convert territorial advantage into genuine scoring opportunities. When the final whistle sounded, Morrison did not hide his frustration, acknowledging that the performance fell well below acceptable standards.
The result extended Albion’s winless league run to 11 matches and left them perilously close to the relegation zone with just 12 fixtures remaining. Ironically, Oxford — the very side that defeated them — are now applying pressure from below.
Managerial search intensifies
Reports indicate that despite allowing Morrison an opportunity to prove himself, West Brom’s hierarchy continues to explore alternative managerial options.
Several high-profile names have been linked with the vacancy in recent days, including Ralph Hasenhüttl, Will Still, Slaven Bilić, and Carlos Corberán. Now, however, attention has turned toward a familiar figure with deep ties to the club.
Darren Moore emerges as leading candidate
According to reports, Darren Moore is strongly interested in returning to The Hawthorns and would reportedly “jump at the chance” to take charge once more. Currently without a role following his dismissal by Port Vale in December, Moore is said to be among the leading contenders to step in, potentially in an interim capacity alongside Morrison given the limited time left in the season.
A return would mark a full-circle moment for Moore. As a player, he made over a century of appearances for West Brom and later managed the club between 2018 and 2019. During that spell, he kept the team competitive in the Championship and had them sitting fourth in the table when he was controversially dismissed.
Since departing Albion, Moore’s managerial journey has included both notable achievements and setbacks. He secured promotion with Sheffield Wednesday and enjoyed success with Port Vale, though his time at Hillsborough also saw relegation, followed by a short-lived tenure at Huddersfield Town before his exit from Vale.
Despite those mixed experiences, Moore’s understanding of West Brom’s culture, expectations, and pressures could prove invaluable during this precarious period. In a relegation battle, familiarity and emotional connection to the club may carry significant weight.
Another potential option is Tony Mowbray, with preliminary discussions reportedly underway regarding a possible interim return. His previous spell ended when he was replaced by Mason — a decision that now appears questionable given subsequent events.
Whoever ultimately takes the reins faces a formidable challenge. For a club with West Bromwich Albion’s history and stature, the prospect of dropping into League One is almost unthinkable. With time running out and the season entering its decisive phase, decisive leadership is urgently required.
The clock, quite simply, is ticking.
