West Brom relegated from the Premier League

Albion have been relegated from the Premier League – ending an eight-year stint in the top flight.

Relegation was confirmed for West Brom last night (AMA)

After Southampton beat Swansea 1-0 tonight thanks to Manolo Gabbiadini's 72nd-minute winner, the Baggies re now unable to catch 17th place on the final day of the season.

Relegation has been on the cards for weeks, but Darren Moore's remarkable unbeaten five-game run as caretaker boss had delayed it on no fewer than four occasions.

Manolo Gabbiadini's 72nd-minute goal won the game for Southampton.

The Baggies were sent down on the same day Moore was named Premier League manager of the month for April after the caretaker boss nearly pulled off a miraculous escape with wins over Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham.

Last weekend, Albion scored a 92nd minute winner at home to Spurs to keep their slim survival hopes alive before Southampton let in a 96th minute equaliser against Everton that also kept them afloat.

However, the Baggies are now destined to return to the Championship for the first time since 2010.

Their relegation comes after a disastrous season that saw them break a club record for the longest consecutive run without a win, when they went 21 matches without tasting victory between August and January.

Albion had four head coaches in total during the campaign, two permanent ones in Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew and two caretakers in Gary Megson and Moore.

Chinese owner Guochuan Lai has also axed three board members, chairman John Williams, chief executive Martin Goodman, and technical director Nick Hammond.

Chief executive Mark Jenkins returned to the club, but the board's decision to delay sacking Pardew has ultimately cost them their top-flight status.

Thoughts will now turn to next season, and the club are expected to announce season ticket prices for the Championship campaign in the coming days.

Albion are also expected to appoint a new manager shortly after the season ends.

Moore was named manager of the month today.

Brentford boss Dean Smith, who worked with Albion coach Neil Cutler at Walsall, is currently the preferred option.

But Moore has received the backing of all the current players, and is also being strongly considered for the role.

Albion had been a Premier League side for eight seasons, and have enjoyed three top-half finishes in the past eight years.

It was the club's longest stint in the top tier since a 10-year spell between 1976 and 1986.