Eric Ramsay expected to become new West Brom head coach

It will bring to an end nearly two years in charge of the MLS club, who he guided to finishes of sixth and fourth in his two campaigns Stateside, doing so against the odds on a modest budget, a factor that attracted Albion's ownership.

Albion's hierarchy initiated contacts in the wake of Mason's exit and negotiations advanced on Thursday.

Ramsay will be the third permanent head coach in a little over a year made under Albion's ownership.

Minnesota are due to begin pre-season training on Friday. It is understood Ramsay, who is from the Mid Wales region just outside of the Midlands, has not flown to the United States.

Negotiations to take Ramsay from his contract at Minnesota, which ran until after the 2027 season, were understood not to be an issue for Albion.

His assistant Dennis Lawrence, the former Trinidad and Tobago defender who played for Wrexham and Swansea, has flown out but could be set to join Ramsay at The Hawthorns as part of the backroom staff.

Also on the radar to be part of Ramsay's set-up is Andy Morrison, the Scottish former Manchester City defender who won a Welsh top flight title in charge of Connah's Quay Nomads and has most recently managed the Sri Lanka national side.

Albion are in action in the FA Cup at Swansea for a third round tie, with interim currently scheduled James Morrison in charge. Morrison was due to address the media in the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

It remains to be seen whether Ramsay's deal is finalised with the formalities ahead of that tie, with an announcement.

As the Express & Star exclusively revealed on Wednesday, the highly-regarded coach was owners Bilkul's top target having been a strong candidate to take the role last summer, but was pipped to the post by Mason.

Ramsay previously coached at Chelsea and Manchester United before moving to the United States in 2024. He was the youngest British coach to gain the top UEFA Pro Licence badge when doing so aged 28.