'I'm the best man for the job' - WBA boss Morrison

New West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison said being appointed was a "huge honour" and that he was "the best man for the job".

The former Scotland midfielder played more than 340 times for the Baggies in his career, and was put in interim charge twice during a difficult season, on and off the pitch, before ultimately steering the club away from relegation trouble.

The 39-year-old was rewarded for his effort with a two-year contract on Thursday and will now start planning for his first senior management job in earnest once Saturday's final game of the season is over.

"It's fantastic, a huge honour and privilege," Morrison told BBC Radio WM.

"I've had a great response [from people]. It's been unbelievable. I'd like to thank the board for giving me this fantastic opportunity. I'm really grateful and I'm going to give it 100% every day."

Given the job until the end of the season in early March, following Eric Ramsay's sacking, Morrison oversaw a 10-game unbeaten run that took Albion out of the bottom three at one stage and to safety - sealed with a draw in their penultimate game against Ipswich Town.

After that match Morrison said chairman Shilen Patel "got the ball rolling" on a contract but it was not until the news was officially announced that it sank in.

"It hit me when I was in the office, seeing the videos that were published," he said.

"I did get a little bit emotional. I had no qualms of doing it. I've said previously that I've enjoyed my time and I believe 100% I can do it.

"It's got to be right for myself. Right for this football club. I'll always put this football club first. And I believe I'm ready and the best man for the job.

"I've got a unique journey at this football club and this is the end of the line, and I want to prove to people that I can do it."

Morrison and Albion also had to contend with the disruption of an English Football League sanction for breaching financial rules that resulted in a two-point penalty that meant relegation was still possible going into the game against Ipswich.

Baggies chief executive Mark Miles said the club have yet to receive written reasons over how, and by how much, they broke spending rules.

However, he said Morrison will be backed in the transfer market this summer.

"Despite the P&S (profit and sustainability) sanction we had, we have got a good backing and footrest we can go on now, and we can obviously back the recruitment of players so we can have a competitive season next year," Miles told BBC Radio WM.

He added that the club were "through the worst" and "in an improving financial position from the P&S perspective now".

"Clearly we will make our best efforts to make the squad as competitive as possible and that backing will be there for the right players."

Miles praised Morrison and his coaching staff for the way they handled everything and turned the club's fortunes around.

"I think one of the key things that we've seen over this last couple of months is that importance of togetherness," he said.

"James, the coaching staff and the players have managed to galvanise the whole club, and we've come together and we've got out of what was a tricky situation and we can now start looking forward. He's got our support all the way through."