Rising star Welsh manager to take reins at Championship club

David Owens

He’s the young Welsh manager who has made a sizeable impression in the US with Minnesota United, most notably masterminding a stunning 4-1 victory over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.

Now, Welsh-speaker Eric Ramsay looks set to take on his biggest challenge to date as the new boss at West Bromwich Albion.

The Baggies this week sacked Ryan Mason after a run of defeats led to his departure, with the hierarchy at the Hawthorns quickly turning to Ramsay.

Reports say the 34-year-old was spoken to in May ahead of Mason’s eventual appointment and West Brom have been keeping tabs on his progress ever since, just in case another change of manager was required.

Ramsay, was the youngest manager in Major League Soccer when he was appointed boss of Minnesota United shortly after the start of the 2024 season, helping the side to their best ever MLS finish.

However, this season with a full pre-season behind him, Minnesota have been nothing short of a revelation, culminating in their comprehensive 4-1 dismantling of a star-studded Inter Miami side, including the world’s greatest footballer Lionel Messi.

Yes, the G.O.A.T did score, but in reply the Loons* put four in the opposition net, leaving Inter Miami manager and former Argentina international Javier Mascherano looking bewildered on the touchline.

That Ramsay masterminded such a stunning victory, in part is not a surprise, his side were one of the form teams in the MLS – they made the playoffs, eventually losing in the MLS Cup semi-finals.

Creating a team built on defensive solidity with Canadian international goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair imperious between the sticks, a fluid and highly adaptable midfield with veteran schemer – Finnish international Robin Lod and three quality forwards in Kevin Yeboah, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Tani Oluwaseyi, under Ramsay the Loons have become a potent, counter-attacking threat.

This was perfectly-illustrated in the way they soaked up pressure from a star-studded David Beckham-owned team and clinically punished them with some clinical finishing.

Matchday in 60 Seconds (feat. @joshvietti) pic.twitter.com/7AoPquxAzK

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) May 11, 2025

To the uninitiated Minnesota may have been seen as taking a chance on a young head coach who has never been a manager previously, but those in football were more than aware of this rising star.

The Welshman started his career working with the youth teams at Swansea and also acted as interim head coach at Shrewsbury before moving to work with the Chelsea Under-23s.

In 2019 Ramsay became the youngest British coach to earn his UEFA Pro Licence.

The multilingual manager (who speaks, French, Spanish and Welsh – and is married to a Welsh speaker) rose through the ranks as a coach under a succession of managers at Manchester United.

His talents were recognised by the Football Association of Wales who drafted him into the Wales set-up in March 2023, as assistant coach under Rob Page.

On Ramsay’s announcement, Page said: “Eric is arguably one of the best young coaches in football at this moment in time”.

Six months later, he left his position at Wales to focus on Manchester United and his young family.

Although linked with a number of jobs in the EFL, Ramsay turned heads when he was appointed head coach of Minnesota United in February 2024 – joining fellow British managers Phil Neville (Portland Timbers) and Dean Smith (Charlotte FC) in the US league.

Since then the Welshman, who is ably assisted by former Wrexham favourite now Loons’ assistant coach Dennis Lawrence, has hit some impressive heights with the MLS side.

It’s all about consistent execution pic.twitter.com/YOzTavQKer

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) May 11, 2025

In 2024, Minnesota United made the club’s best start to a Major League Soccer season in history under Ramsay, with the club topping the Western Conference after twelve games with 24 points.

Ramsay returned Minnesota United to the Major League Soccer playoffs with a sixth placed finish in the Western Conference in his first season in charge, breaking club records for goals scored, away points and consecutive clean sheets.

Minnesota finished in ninth place in the overall Supporters’ Shield standings and reached the Western Conference semi-final in Ramsay’s debut season as head coach.

Take it away, friends 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/4ssOTuLGM6

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) May 10, 2025

On April 19th, 2025 – in Ramsay’s second season – Minnesota United achieved the franchise’s record unbeaten run in Major League Soccer (eight matches) with a 0-0 draw vs FC Dallas.

However, their monumental victory over this season’s eventual MLS Cup winners Inter Miami, would rank as United’s greatest achievement under Ramsay’s stewardship. The celebrations after they had pulled off the landmark win reverberated around their home ground the Allianz Field, with the fans behind one goal – dubbed the Wonderwall – serenading Ramsey and his players with the Oasis classic.

It’s safe to say the Minnesota fans were mad for Ramsey. Let’s hope the Welshman find’s similar success at the Hawthorns.

* Minnesota United’s nickname is the Loons as the team’s crest prominently features the Loon, which is the state bird of Minnesota.