West Bromwich Albion 2026-2027 Season Preview
The 2026-2027 season has already begun for West Bromwich Albion, with the Baggies entering September after three Championship matches and a first-round Carabao Cup victory. James Morrison’s side have made a significant number of changes to the squad during the summer, following a difficult 2025-2026 campaign that ended with the club narrowly avoiding relegation.
West Brom began the new Championship season with a 2-1 victory at Norwich City and followed it with a 3-1 home win over Burnley. They then suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Middlesbrough. In the Carabao Cup, Albion beat Rotherham United 4-1 before losing 3-2 to Newcastle United in the second round.
This preview looks at last season’s campaign, the manager’s approach, the summer transfer activity, key players, pre-season preparations and the fixtures that could shape the months ahead.
West Bromwich Albion 2025-2026 Season Recap
West Brom endured a difficult 2025-2026 Championship campaign and eventually finished 21st, securing their second-tier status only after a late improvement under James Morrison. The club’s position was particularly concerning because Albion had spent much of the season fighting near the relegation places rather than challenging for promotion.
The season also featured significant changes in the dugout. Ryan Mason began the campaign as head coach before being replaced by Eric Ramsay in January.
Ramsay was subsequently dismissed in February, after which former Albion midfielder James Morrison took temporary charge. Morrison helped transform the team’s results, overseeing a ten-match unbeaten run that secured Championship survival. He was appointed permanent head coach on a two-year contract in April.
Morrison’s impact was reflected in the defensive record during that crucial run. The club recorded seven clean sheets during his ten-game unbeaten sequence, while eight clean sheets in 16 Championship appearances from goalkeeper Max O’Leary also played an important role in the survival effort.
The campaign ultimately exposed weaknesses in recruitment and squad construction, with the club acknowledging that its previous approach had been too heavily weighted towards data. The subsequent appointment of Technical Director Dominic Price was intended to improve the alignment between recruitment, the club’s playing model and player development.
The challenge for 2026-2027, therefore, is not simply to avoid another relegation battle but to build a more consistent team around Morrison’s methods.
Who Is The Manager of West Bromwich Albion?
James Morrison is the manager, or more accurately the men’s first-team Head Coach, going into the 2026-2027 campaign. The former Scotland international was appointed permanently on April 30, 2026, after initially taking temporary charge during the final stages of the previous season.
Morrison is a familiar figure at The Hawthorns. He made 341 appearances for Albion during a 12-year playing career and scored 39 goals, while also earning 46 Scotland caps. His transition into coaching has therefore taken place at a club where he already understands the culture and expectations surrounding the first team.
His immediate managerial priority last season was restoring confidence, defensive organisation and consistency. The ten-match unbeaten run that secured survival demonstrated that he could stabilise the side under considerable pressure. For 2026-2027, he has been given the opportunity to shape the squad from the beginning of a campaign and establish a clearer identity.
That makes the summer recruitment strategy particularly important, as Morrison and the club have made substantial changes to the playing squad.
West Bromwich Albion Summer Transfer Activity
West Brom have undergone a considerable rebuild during the summer transfer window. The club added a mixture of young prospects and more established Championship players, while several experienced members of the previous squad departed.
Among the confirmed arrivals were forwards Barney Stewart and Jimmy-Jay Morgan, goalkeeper Matt Ingram, full-back Conor Townsend, defender Nolan Galves, midfielder Felix Horn Myhre and several other additions as Albion continued to reshape the squad. The club also retained goalkeeper Max O’Leary on a new three-year contract after his important contribution during the second half of the previous campaign.
The final stages of the window brought further activity, including the deadline-day arrival of Brayann Pereira from NEC Nijmegen. By the end of the window, Albion had made a major number of additions as Morrison sought to create greater competition across the squad.
There were also significant departures. Jed Wallace, Daryl Dike, Joe Wildsmith, Karlan Grant, Josh Maja, Alex Mowatt and Krystian Bielik were among those to leave during the summer, while other players moved on loan.
The scale of the changes means this is a substantially different Albion squad from the one that finished the previous season. The key issue now is whether the new arrivals can develop the consistency that was missing during much of 2025-2026.
Who are West Bromwich Albion’s Key Players?
Max O’Leary is an important figure after establishing himself as Albion’s first-choice goalkeeper during the second half of last season. His eight clean sheets in 16 Championship appearances helped West Brom secure survival, and his new contract keeps him at The Hawthorns through 2029.
In midfield, Jayson Molumby and Ousmane Diakité provide energy and defensive work, while Isaac Price offers another important option in possession and around the attacking areas. Price was among the goalscorers during Albion’s impressive 3-0 Championship victory over Hull City in March and has remained part of the first-team picture under Morrison.
Aune Heggebø is another player to watch in attack. The Norway international arrived during the previous summer and has shown that he can contribute both as a goalscorer and as a link player. His ability to combine with other forwards could become increasingly important following the departures of Josh Maja, Karlan Grant and Daryl Dike.
George Campbell is another player with an important role to play. The defender scored a memorable equaliser against Sheffield United during Morrison’s survival run and has continued to feature prominently in the first-team squad.
The summer arrivals also create opportunities for players such as Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Barney Stewart. Both are younger additions and will be expected to compete for attacking minutes as Morrison develops the next version of his squad.
What Are West Bromwich Albion’s Season Expectations?
After finishing 21st in 2025-2026, West Brom’s immediate objective is to move decisively away from the relegation battle and establish themselves as a more competitive Championship side. A promotion challenge would represent a substantial improvement, but the first requirement is consistency.
Morrison has inherited a squad that has been extensively rebuilt during the summer. The club’s recruitment strategy has placed greater emphasis on reshaping the squad and creating a group capable of developing over time, while the appointment of Technical Director Dominic Price is intended to provide greater alignment between the football model and recruitment.
The early Championship results suggest that there are reasons for optimism, but the defeat at Middlesbrough also highlights the work still required. Maintaining defensive concentration, converting opportunities and producing stronger away performances will be important if Albion are to climb the table.
With a new-look squad, a permanent head coach and a difficult season behind them, the 2026-2027 campaign represents an important opportunity for West Brom to establish a new direction.
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