James Morrison takes up coaching role at West Brom

The Baggies favourite, who left The Hawthorns in the summer, confirmed yesterday he has decided to hang up his boots despite interest from other clubs.

Now, though, the former Scotland international is set to continue his 12-year association with Albion by taking his first steps into coaching.

Morrison will spend time working at the club’s academy to decide if being a coach is where he sees his long-term future.

“It’s been really hard to make this decision,” Morrison said after confirming his decision to retire. “Football has been my life for so long. It’s difficult to say goodbye to that.

“Having said that, being offered the opportunity to return to this club to begin some coaching has helped me come to terms with my playing days coming to an end.

“I loved playing here. It’s easy to take it all for granted, but I really have loved my time here, so to be able to extend that in a non-playing capacity is great.

“Coaching is obviously new to me and I’m thankful the club are giving me this opportunity, because it’s not a given that a club will just throw their doors open to you, especially not so quickly after you retire.

“I’m looking forward to it. I have a lot to learn but I’m up for that challenge.

“I guess to begin with my experience as a professional is what I can try to pass on to the lads, but I’m hopeful that will soon come with high-quality coaching.”

Morrison made 341 appearances in his 12 years at The Hawthorns, scoring 39 goals.

The former midfielder had been keeping himself fit by using the club’s training facilities over the past few months.

But despite being in good shape, the 33-year-old did not receive an offer to carry on playing which appealed.

And following a chat with technical director Luke Dowling, he felt coaching with Albion was the way forward.

“As soon as it was clear Mozza wanted to get a taste for coaching there was no question that that should be here with our club,” Dowling said.

“It will be a great opportunity for him to dip his toes into the water of coaching in an academy environment.

“It’s great for the club too, to have all that influence and experience out amongst the age groups. He’ll work with the under-16s, 18s and 23s, and we’ll assess things with him as we go along.”