Steve Clarke has been sacked as head coach of West Bromwich Albion following a fourth straight Premier League loss.
The 50-year-old Scot’s last game in charge was a 1-0 defeat by Cardiff on Saturday, which left the Baggies two points above the relegation zone.
Albion have won only seven of their 34 Premier League games in 2013.
Joint-assistant head coach Keith Downing will take control of first-team affairs while the club look for a new head coach. A West Brom statement said Clarke has been placed on gardening leave with immediate effect, along with his other assistant, Kevin Keen.
West Brom sporting and technical director Richard Garlick said: “We have reluctantly come to the decision to relieve Steve of his duties after very careful consideration. It has been well documented that we have not had the rub of the green in certain games this season but that does not cloud the generally disappointing points return during this calendar year.
“This club’s track record proves we do not take such decisions lightly, having only enforced a change in this position three times in approximately 14 years.
“But with key games coming thick and fast, we felt it was important we acted now to give the club the best possible chance of a successful outcome this season”.-BBC.



