Why James Morrison's family were shocked after move to become West Brom boss
James Morrison made himself Albion’s prime candidate as a 10-match unbeaten run helped secure safety
James Morrison admitted his family were taken back by a show of emotion by the new Albion boss after he landed the role.
The Baggies boss, who turned 40 at the beginning of the week, confessed to feeling a wave of emotion after being told he would be the club’s permanent head coach.
Morrison emerged as the leading candidate through his stunning run of 10 matches unbeaten which saved Albion from relegation to League One at the end of a miserable Championship campaign.
The former midfielder tends to be one to keep his emotions in check, though not on this occasion.
Morrison said: "When we were in the office that was the emotion I felt - how proud I am to lead this club and certainly the emotion took over.
"When I spoke to the family they couldn't believe that I showed a bit of emotion!
“That's what this club does to me. It means I'll give that extra bit working for the club day-to-day.”
He continued: "I am ready. I think it's about getting the work-life balance right and me being in a positive mindframe to make big decisions and the best decisions for the club to try to improve the players and environment to be successful.”
Next year marks the 20th anniversary of Morrison’s arrival in the Black Country when he moved to the Baggies from Middlesbrough aged 21 in an initial £1.5million deal.
He hung up his boots aged 33 after 12 years in 2019 after admitting a reluctance to drop down the Football League to continue his playing career.
His first post-playing role was in the club’s academy at under-16, under-18 and under-23 level. He was first promoted to senior coaching ranks by Sam Allardyce and held similar roles under Valerien Ismael, Steve Bruce and Tony Mowbray.
"I don't know what I'd say about that!” Morrison said of a message to himself two decades ago. “It was a 21-year-old who walked through the door wanting to prove himself at a new club.
"I've got a unique journey at this club and this is the end of that line really - I want to prove to people I can do it.”
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