James Morrison's 'worth it' verdict on new staff in 'beautiful' West Brom pre-season

The head coach, appointed in a permanent role in April, spent considerable time early in the off-season reshaping his coaching team and is delighted with the outcome.

He secured a long-term deal for Matt Gill, the assistant who played such a key role in the push for survival, before adding both Gavin Strachan and Tony McMahon to his backroom ranks.

Gill and Strachan, previously of Celtic, are highly-regarded in the world of coaching. Nobody is closer to Morrison than former Middlesbrough team-mate McMahon, with the pair close friends since their school days and the latter seen as an ideal soundboard for the head coach.

“So there was obviously a process to it,” Morrison told the Express & Star. “I took my time.

“I knew how important having good staff around you helps.

“Over the weeks that we've been together, it's made decisions worth it - I'm really happy with them.

“They’ve brought out fresh new ideas, they are different types of personality, and they are good people. That's what I wanted.

“Like I said, I'm really happy with it. The more weeks we've worked together, it can only get better.”

Gill, once a loan midfielder with Walsall in his playing days, has spent the bulk of his coaching career as assistant to Russell Martin and there were fears he would follow Martin into a new role.

But he committed to Morrison before Martin took the reins at League One new boys Leicester.

Strachan, son of Gordon, spent six years working at Celtic under high-profile managers and has already made his mark on the Baggies’ training sessions.

Gill was a huge hit with players late last term as his coaching helped lift performances and spirits as the club faced the clutches of League One.

Many Albion fans will have a first peak at Morrison’s class of 2026/27 with Saturday’s friendly at League Two Shrewsbury Town, the first friendly open to public on these shores.

“I am enjoying it,” the head coach added with a smile. “Pre-season is a beautiful time. It can be that it's the hardest time, but it's also the most enjoyable.

“It's hard work, working on a structure, how you want your team to play, integrating new players.

“All those things come into it, and a good pre-season sets you up well, because ultimately at the start of the season we're going to have to be ready, because it's a tough start.”