2025–26 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season

The 2025–26 season is the 148th season in the history of West Bromwich Albion Football Club and their fifth consecutive season in the Championship. In addition to the domestic league, the club would also participate in the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup.

Before the season started, Ryan Mason was appointed head coach signing a three-year contract.^[4] However, on 6 January he was relieved of his duties after twenty-seven games in charge and 33.33% win ratio.^[1] Five days later, the club appointed Eric Ramsay from Minnesota United as the new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract.^[2] After nine games in charge and no wins, Ramsay was sacked as head coach.^[3] James Morrison once again took over on an interim basis, and on 4 March it was announced that he would remain in charge for the rest of the season.^[5]

As of 1 February 2025

As of 21 March 2026

Players with no appearances are not included on the list; italics indicate a loaned in player

As of 21 March 2026

Expenditure: £9,750,000 (not inc. undisclosed transfers)

On 5 June, West Bromwich Albion announced their first two pre-season friendlies, against Blackpool and Lincoln City.^[78] Two weeks later, a home friendly against Rayo Vallecano was confirmed.^[79] A week-long training camp in Austria had also been announced with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Dynamo Kyiv arranged.^[80]

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Newly appointed manager Ryan Mason began his Albion tenure with an opening day clash at home to Blackburn. The hosts started brightly, grabbing the lead fifteen minutes in through Isaac Price. Albion held on in the second half, despite Darnell Furlong's red card, to win 1–0.^[81] The Baggies were in action just three days later in the EFL Cup, and were knocked out on penalties at the Hawthorns by Derby County. Aune Heggebø scored his first goal for the club in the second half, but Joe Ward equalised right at the death and the Rams won the subsequent shoot-out 3–2 to knock Albion out in the first round for the third year in a row.^[82] The first away day of the season was a trip to newly promoted Wrexham, with owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney watching on. Isaac Price scored again to give Albion the lead, but the hosts hit back through Lewis O'Brien just before half-time. Substitutes Mikey Johnston and Jed Wallace combined to give the Baggies the lead in the second half, before Price grabbed his second to make 1–3. Sam Smith pulled one back for Wrexham late on, but it wasn't enough to stop Albion making it back-to-back victories to start the league campaign.^[83] Next up for the Baggies was Portsmouth at the Hawthorns, and it ended in a controversial 1–1 draw. Mikey Johnston gave the hosts a first half lead, but Colby Bishop equalised for Portsmouth just after the interval. Albion were denied a penalty for what seemed to be a clear foul on Aune Heggebø, and then saw a stonewall red card not be given moments later, with Ryan Mason sent off for his protests.^[84] Mason then had to watch from the stands as they won 0–1 away at Stoke, with Nat Phillips heading Albion into 2nd place going into the first international break.^[85]

West Bromwich Albion celebrated 125 years at the Hawthorns on the 13 September at home to Derby County, but the visitors spoiled the party with a late Andi Weimann strike.^[86] A long trip up to Teesside awaited the Baggies on the following Friday, against a Middlesbrough side top of the Championship table. Boro took lead through defender David Strelec, before Kaly Sène doubled the lead on the hour mark. Aune Heggebø pulled one back late on, but it wasn't enough as Middlesbrough took all three points.^[87] Next up for Albion was Leicester City under the Friday night lights at the Hawthorns. Samuel Iling-Junior made his full debut, and ten minutes in scored a wonderful solo goal. Albion had multiple chances to kill the game off, but didn't take them and were made to pay when Nat Phillips put the ball in his own net in stoppage time.^[88]

Norwich City in midweek were next up, having lost all of their home games so far. Josh Maja's first goal of the season was enough to earn all three points on the road, as Norwich's poor run at Carrow Road continued.^[89] Albion were then well beaten at the Den, with Millwall running out 3–0 winners. Jake Cooper gave the hosts a first half lead, before Femi Azeez and Zak Sturge extended their advantage in the second half.^[90] The Baggies returned home from the international break with a promising 2–1 victory over Preston. Mikey Johnston and Isaac Price put Albion 2–0 up, and held on despite a late Michael Smith consolation.^[91] They were unable to build on the victory however, falling to a 2–1 defeat at Vicarage Road the following Wednesday. Price scored again to give the Baggies the lead, but Watford turned it round through Imran Louza and Rocco Vata. ^[92] Albion then lost on the road again, with Jack Clarke pouncing on a late mistake to win the game for Ipswich Town.^[93]

The poor run of form continued with a goalless draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday, who had recently entered administration and had been deducted 12 points.^[94] Albion performed better against Charlton, and Josh Griffiths saved a first half penalty, but they conceded a last minute Sonny Carey winner to ramp up the pressure on Ryan Mason.^[95] The Baggies did manage to end the poor run with 2–1 comeback win over Oxford United. Will Lankshear put the visitors in front, but Greg Leigh put the ball in his own net 2 minutes later to equalise. Aune Heggebø then came off the bench to score the winner twenty minutes from time.^[96] Following the final international break of the year, Albion fell to a 3–2 defeat against league leaders Coventry City. Aune Heggebø scored twice to put the Baggies 0–2 up, but the Sky Blues pulled a goal back through Josh Eccles before half-time. Following the interval, Jayson Molumby received his second yellow card, and Coventry took advantage, Ellis Simms and Victor Torp scoring to turn the game around.^[97] Back at the Hawthorns, Albion played out an entertaining 1–1 draw with local rivals Birmingham City. Alex Mowatt grabbed the opener, before Marvin Ducksch equalised late into the second half.^[98] The Baggies were back at home just three days later, up against Swansea City. The Swans made the perfect start, with Zan Vipotnik scoring after just 12 seconds before Ethan Galbraith made it two ten minutes later. However, Albion came out rejuvenated after the break, and Aune Heggebø squared the game with two quickfire goals before Jayson Molumby completed the comeback in the 85th minute.^[99]

Albion then lost on the road again the following weekend, falling to a 3–1 defeat at Queens Park Rangers. Aune Heggebø's sixth goal in seven games was not enough, as the host scored via a Jonathan Varane header and a brace from Rumarn Burrell.^[100] Down at St. Mary's in midweek, the Baggies lost their seventh consecutive away game. Adam Armstrong scored twice after an early Léo Scienza strike to put Southampton three goals up at half-time, and despite second-half goals from Karlan Grant and Nat Phillips, the hosts secured all three points as it finished 3–2.^[101] Mason's men picked up a much needed win under the Sky cameras on the Friday night, beating in form an inform Sheffield United side 2–0. Aune Heggebø put the Baggies in front just after half-time, before Karlan Grant doubled the lead ten minutes later to secure the three points.^[102] Once again, on the road Albion were defeated, as Hull City ran out 1–0 winners at the MKM Stadium just before Christmas, thanks to an Oli McBurnie penalty.^[103] On Boxing Day, Albion lost at home for the first time since September, losing 1–2 to Bristol City. Anis Mehmeti and Ross McCrorie gave the Robins a first-half lead, and Ousmane Diakité's late consolation was not enough to avoid defeat.^[104] The Baggies did bounce back to winning ways three days later, headers from George Campbell and Nat Phillips cancelling out an Diakité own goal, as they ended the year with a 2–1 victory over Queens Park Rangers.^[105]

On New Year's Day, Albion lost their ninth straight away game, losing 1–0 at Swansea City. Jay Fulton's 74th minute strike was enough to give the hosts all three points.^[106] The Baggies were next in action against Leicester at the King Power on Monday Night Football. Jordan Ayew gave the foxes the lead, before Karlan Grant levelled up before the break. Albion created chances in the second-half, but once again were undone late on, Abdul Fatawu scoring a stoppage time winner to consign the visitors to a tenth consecutive defeat on their travels.^[107] The following day, Ryan Mason was sacked with the club sat 18th in the Championship.^[108] James Morrison took over the reigns for the FA Cup clash at Swansea City, with the Baggies advancing on penalties. Following a goalless first half, Eom Ji-sung curled the Swans in front, before Josh Maja equalised five minutes later. Jed Wallace gave the visitors the lead in extra-time, but this time Swansea came up with a quick-fire response as Zeidane Inoussa found the back of the net, sending it to spot-kicks. Ollie Bostock scored the winning penalty, as Albion won 5–6 to put their name in the hat for the Fourth Round draw.^[109] Later that evening, Eric Ramsay was appointed new manager on and two-and-a-half-year deal.^[110] Ramsay's first match in charge was against Middlesbrough under the Friday night lights at the Hawthorns. A Charlie Taylor own goal and a superb strike from Sammy Silvera had the visitors 0–2 up, before Isaac Price and Jed Wallace brought the game back level. However, once again, Albion conceded late on, as Delano Burgzorg came off the bench to win the game for Boro.^[111] The bad news kept on coming for Eric Ramsay, as Albion were embarrassed at home, losing 0–5 to Norwich City. Oscar Schwartau, Ali Ahmed, Anis Ben Slimane, Ben Chrisene and Mathias Kvistgaarden all scored for the Canaries in a dominant win.^[112] The Baggies were in action again on a Friday night just three days later, making the trip to Pride Park to face Derby County. Patrick Agyemang gave the hosts the lead right before half-time, but Chris Mepham scrambled home an equaliser to end Albion's 10-match losing streak on the road.^[113] Albion slipped even closer to the bottom three with a 3–0 defeat away at Portsmouth. Conor Chaplin, Millenic Alli and Ebou Adams all scored for Pompey in a comfortable win at Fratton Park.^[114]

After briefly entering the relegation zone following Blackburn Rovers' win against Sheffield Wednesday, Albion climbed back out with a 0–0 draw with Stoke City.^[115] They followed this up in midweek with another goalless draw, this time in a resolute performance at local rivals Birmingham City. ^[116] Up next was a trip to Carrow Road in the FA Cup, with Albion exiting in the fourth round. Josh Maja bagged for the visitors, but it was not enough as Paris Maghoma, Ben Chrisene and Mohamed Touré all scored for Norwich in a 3–1 triumph.^[117] Albion were defeated 0–2 by league leaders Coventry City the following weekend. First-half strikes from Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni were enough the secure the three points for the visiting Sky Blues.^[118] With the pressure on Eric Ramsay rapidly increasing, the Baggies faced Charlton Athletic at the Hawthorns in a must-win encounter. George Campbell headed the hosts in front just before half-time, but Albion didn't take their chances and Lyndon Dykes grabbed an equaliser for Charlton in the last twenty minutes.^[119] Eric Ramsay was sacked soon after full-time, having been in charge for nine games and failing to win a single game.^[3] Interim James Morrison's first game in charge was huge clash with relegation rivals Oxford United, and the bad form continued as Albion were beaten 2–1. Stan Mills and Will Lankshear headed the hosts into a 2–0 lead, before Ollie Bostock pulled one back. However, it was not enough and the Baggies were beaten once again on their travels.^[120]

During the week, it was announced that Morrison would continue as interim for the rest of the season^[121], and he followed that news up by gaining a point at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United. George Campbell scored at both ends in a 1–1 draw.^[122] Albion then produced a stellar performance in midweek at home to an in-form Southampton side, with Jayson Molumby grabbing the opening goal just before half-time. The Baggies pushed for a second after the interval, but as so often was the case during the season, they couldn't hold on and the Saints snatched a late equaliser through Cyle Larin.^[123] With the momentum shifting, Albion finally got their first win of 2026 with a 3–0 victory over play-off chasing Hull City at the Hawthorns. Josh Maja gave the hosts an early lead, before Charlie Hughes was sent off for the Tigers. Making the most of the man advantage, Aune Heggebø and Isaac Price bagged in the second half to secure a vital vicory that moved Albion back out of the bottom three.^[124] The Baggies followed that win up with a crucial three points at Ashton Gate, George Campbell scoring the only goal of the game to secure their first away win since October.^[125]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

West Brom entered the FA Cup at the third round stage, and were drawn away against Swansea City.^[129] Then away to Norwich City in the fourth round.^[130][131]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures