Ryan Mason: West Bromwich Albion sacks its coach after 27 matches

Steve Hermon, BBC WM West Bromwich Albion Radio commentator

Ryan Mason was very cagey in his early media interviews and was never able to build a rapport with the fan base, who were also left baffled by his style of play, but ultimately frustrated by the number of defeats – Albion lost half of their 26 Championship matches under the 34-year-old.

Mason can point to some bad luck with a few of them, particularly Monday night’s tough loss to Leicester City, but as he has told me several times, he can only “speak to the fans through results” and that’s what it’s cost him.

He also spoke of “bias” when it comes to transfer policy and the club’s financial situation.

They knew they had to sell star players Torbjörn Heegem and Tom Fellows to remain profitable and sustainable, and while the Baggies did some smart work, Mason was left with a very weak squad that lacked depth and quality in some areas, and it showed whenever he made substitutions.

The Baggies are 18th in the Second Division, their lowest position in a quarter of a century, and owners Belcol have already made it clear in a letter before Christmas that there is no money to spend in January.

But it would still be an attractive job for someone, especially since the financial situation should improve from the summer.

Right now, the team needs a coach with the ability to guide them away from the relegation zone, which they are currently seven points above.

James Morrison will be caretaker manager during Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Swansea, but I understand the Albion management want to appoint a new head coach for their next league match at home to in-form Middlesbrough on Friday, January 16.

After the failure of the Mowbray experiment and the failure of betting on the rising player Mason, who knows where Andrew Nestor’s data will lead West Bromwich Albion next?

But the American hopes to be lucky the third time, because there will be a lot of pressure on him to get the next appointment right.