Why James Morrison labelled a teammate ‘weirdo’ at West Brom

On a damp afternoon at The Hawthorns, James Morrison paced the sidelines, his eyes scanning the pitch as West Brom players warmed up, recalling the infamous line that made a teammate a club legend – “a bit of a weirdo”. The comment still draws chuckles from fans and staff alike.

Action Images By  Benedict Ferraby Published Aug 16, 2026, 7:00 PM GMT+1. Benedict is an EFL-accredited self‑publishing writer and sub‑editor for FLW, covering all three divisions while strongly focusing on developments at Hull City and Birmingham City. He graduated with a 2:1 (Hons) in Multimedia Journalism at the University of Wolverhampton in September 2024 and earned a Merit in MA Sports Journalism at Coventry University in 2025. He previously covered Rugby League and non‑league football matches for various sites and worked as an intern with Wolves' Academy between 2023 and 5.

Morrison's coaching journey

James Morrison, the Scottish international midfielder turned cult hero, is now hoping to become permanent head coach at West Brom. The Baggies have been in the Championship since the 2021/22 season after a single‑season return to the Premier League under Slaven Bilic and Sam Allardyce. The 2025/26 campaign ended with West Brom finishing 21st, their lowest league position since 2000. After the failed appointments of Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay, the club turned to Morrison, who had taken various coaching roles since retiring seven years ago.

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Scharner's Premier League past

Paul Scharner, the Austrian defensive midfielder, first joined Wigan Athletic in 2005 after signing from SK Brann and stayed until 2010, making 153 appearances and scoring 17 goals. He featured in the 2006 EFL Cup final against Manchester United just months after arriving. Former boss Roberto Di Matteo described him as “exactly the type of player we’ve been looking to bring in”. Morrison, who signed three summers beforehand, later called Scharner a ‘weirdo’.

The ‘weirdo’ comment and its legacy

In the 2010/11 season, after a 3‑2 win over Arsenal at the Emirates and a 2‑2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, Morrison told the Telegraph: “He’s (Scharner) a bit of a weirdo. He has come in and done well as we’ve got results. I think his experience helps. He does love a moan and he gets on people’s nerves for moaning! But he has lots of experience and you can’t take that away from him.” Scharner made 64 appearances over two seasons as West Brom finished 11th and 10th, and his winning goal against Aston Villa at Villa Park in October 2011 secured a comeback victory. He later recalled, “I can remember the winning goal as if it was now.” Fans try to understand how such a remark can shape a squad, and Us are reminded of football’s quirky side. The standards set by the 40‑year‑old Morrison, forged under experienced managers, continue to influence the club’s ambition to return to the Premier League.