West Bromwich Albion have sacked head coach Ryan Mason following Monday night’s 2-1 defeat away to Leicester City, a result that extended the club’s poor run on the road.
The loss was Albion’s 10th consecutive away defeat and left the Championship side 18th in the table, sitting 10 points outside the play-off places. The decision brings an end to Mason’s short spell in charge at The Hawthorns.
Mason’s assistant Nigel Gibbs and head of performance Sam Pooley have also departed the club. Former midfielder and current first-team coach James Morrison has been placed in interim charge.
West Brom face Swansea City away in the FA Cup on Sunday and do not return to league action until Middlesbrough visit The Hawthorns on 16 January.
In a brief club statement confirming Mason’s exit, West Brom said:
“The process of recruiting a new men’s first-team head coach and staff is under way.”
The 34-year-old joined Albion on a three-year contract after leaving Tottenham Hotspur’s coaching staff, arriving with high expectations of pushing the club towards promotion. While his tenure began positively, with three wins from the opening four league matches, the early momentum quickly faded.
West Brom managed just six further victories from their next 22 Championship games, with a fourth defeat in five matches across the festive period ultimately proving decisive. The club will now begin the search for a third permanent manager in the space of 12 months.
Speaking after the late defeat at Leicester — sealed by an added-time goal — Mason defended his team’s performances despite the results.
“We are on a terrible run in terms of away games,” he told BBC WM.
“But if you look at the last seven or eight matches, we’ve had more shots than the opposition, more shots on target, created more chances, and conceded very little as well.
“I’m proud of the team and proud of the performance, and we deserve so much more.”
Despite those claims, Albion’s league position and prolonged away struggles have prompted the club’s leadership to act as they look to revive their Championship campaign.