Ex-West Brom chairman John Williams: Sacking was ‘unusual’

Williams was fired by owner Guochuan Lai on Tuesday alongside chief executive Martin Goodman, and has revealed it was returning chief Mark Jenkins who delivered the news over the phone.

He said it was 'odd' to be fired from the board because of poor results on the pitch but did admit responsibility.

Despite that, he’s backed Pardew, the man he installed as head coach, to drag Albion out of the mire in the final 11 league games of the season.

“It is an odd feeling, it’s certainly unusual,” Williams told The Times. “We had gone through a managerial change but it’s a results-based game and I accept my part in that.

“As top of the managerial tree, you have to take responsibility.

“It has been a challenging job but I felt we had done well in the time I was here until this season, and I have enjoyed it.”

Williams sacked Tony Pulis back in November, three months after handing him a new contract.

The Baggies were hovering above the bottom three when he pulled the trigger, but they are now five points adrift at the foot of the table and seven points from safety.

“We didn’t get the bounce we hoped for when Alan came in and are well short of his usual average points per game, but I think we are now heading on a really favourable run of games,” said Williams.

“I believe in Alan and the squad and I wish them well and really hope they stay up. I believe it will be a fight until the end.”

Williams and Goodman were both surprised by the news, which was delivered to them at the start of the week.

They are currently on gardening leave after being handed notice of the termination of their contracts.

A club spokesperson said: “We would like to thank John and Martin for all their efforts since their appointments and wish them well for the future.”