EFL Championship · Championship · West Bromwich, West Midlands, England · The Hawthorns
West Bromwich Albion Football Club
One of English football's great founding clubs, West Bromwich Albion are fighting to rebuild in the Championship after a traumatic fall from the Premier League — a five-time FA Cup winner now battling to reclaim their place among English football's elite.
Current Leadership
Owner & Chairman
Shilen Patel, an American-born entrepreneur of Indian heritage and founder of Bilkish Capital, acquired West Bromwich Albion in February 2024. Patel's takeover ended the controversial tenure of Chinese owner Guochuan Lai, who had been widely criticised for underinvestment and absentee ownership. Patel has pledged to restore the club to its former status, but his first full season ended in relegation to League One — making the rebuilding task even more urgent.
Manager
| Name | Position | Since |
|---|---|---|
| James Morrison | Interim Manager | 2026 |
Historical Figures
Former Owner
Chinese businessman Guochuan Lai purchased an 88% stake in West Bromwich Albion in 2016 for a reported £175 million. His tenure was marked by a lack of investment, poor communication with supporters, and the club's relegation from the Premier League in 2021. Lai's ownership was widely seen as a period of decline, and his eventual sale to Shilen Patel in 2024 was greeted with relief by the fanbase.