James Morrison appointed assistant boss of West Brom's under-23s

Fan favourite James Morrison has been appointed as the assistant manager of Albion's under-23s.

After 12 hugely successful years with the Baggies, Morrison retired from playing in September last year.

Since then he has taken his first steps into coaching by working with the club's academy on a voluntary basis.

Now, though, he has been given the permanent position of assistant manager to the under-23s – where he will support caretaker boss Deon Burton.

Albion's technical director Luke Dowling said: “I watched Mozza begin tentatively, not really sure if it (coaching) was what he wanted, and then really start to get into it.

"It was ideal for him and the club that we had this trial period in which he could test his appetite for coaching. But you can tell he’s fired up for it now.

“I would say that since the turn of the year, you could see this was what he wanted to do and most important of all, he is good for the young players.”

Academy boss Richard Stevens said he delighted to welcome Morrison into his new role.

“We’re looking to re-shape the under 23s programme a little bit which we hope will give the players a better chance to develop within the game," he said.

“James will now play a big part in that and I’m delighted he has taken up this opportunity. He grew into it, started to love it and then you could see this massive desire to help with the 18s and 23s.

“He’s been outstanding and it’s brilliant to have a player of his significance to the whole club able to now impart that experience and leadership.”

Academy and under-23s football has been abandoned due to the coronavirus pandemic – with it not yet known when it will return.

Morrison, though, says he's happy to be involved when it does.

"Yes, I got the bug for it,” Morrison said on how he's found entering the world of coaching.

“I really got settled into it and I’m delighted with this opportunity.

“I’ve been speaking with Luke and Richard for some time and I was just waiting for that moment when it ‘clicked.’

"Luke spoke very impressively about his plans for the club, on the football and coaching side of things and it gave me a real buzz.”