West Bromwich Albion sack boss Alan Irvine
West Bromwich Albion have sacked head coach Alan Irvine after just six months in charge at The Hawthorns.
The Baggies informed Irvine today that he would be relieved of his duties and issued a statement tonight confirming he had been placed on gardening leave.
The club say they hope to appoint a successor before the weekend with Tim Sherwood and Tony Pulis leading contenders.
The decision comes following fierce criticism from fans in recent games after a poor start to the Premier League season.
Irvine's successor will be the club's fourth first-team boss in just over a year after Steve Clarke was sacked in December 2013 to be followed by Spaniard Pepe Mel and then Irvine.
Assistant head coaches Keith Downing and Rob Kelly have been placed in caretaker charge but the club hope to appoint a permanent replacement for Irvine in the next few days with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Sherwood emerging as the early favourite.
Ex-Stoke City and Crystal Palace chief Pulis is also thought to be a contender.
Irvine was the surprise choice to replace Mel in the summer following the Spaniard's dismissal at the end of last season.
But fans immediately reacted with fury to the appointment due to Irvine's mediocre record in his two previous managerial jobs with Preston North End and Sheffield Wednesday.
He was subjected to more criticism from travelling fans at Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Stoke City where Downing and Kelly – both former Wolves players – were also singled out by supporters.
The pair will charge for the New Year's Day game at West Ham but their positions are thought to be under serious threat once a new permanent boss is appointed.
Irvine, aged 56, won just four of his 19 Premier League games in charge and suffered defeat to Championship side Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup.
Technical director Terry Burton said: "We appointed Alan in the summer convinced that we had taken on one of the foremost coaches in the UK and nothing that has happened since then has altered our view.
"The individual progress of our players such as Craig Dawson and Saido Berahino are testament to that.
"But sadly that simply has not translated into results and they remain the ultimate currency of Alan's position.
"Securing a sixth season in the Premier League is the over-riding target and sometimes unpleasant decisions have to be taken to serve that imperative.
"Alan has impressed everyone with his manner, dedication and diligence but he knows that results have simply not been good enough.
"We place on record our gratitude for his efforts and hold nothing but good wishes for his future endeavours. This was a decision taken with regret but sadly driven by necessity."
