Confirmed: West Bromwich Albion sack manager Alan Irvine

West Bromwich Albion have confirmed they have sacked their manager Alan Irvine after a poor run of games this season.

The Baggies are 16<sup>th in the Premier League table, with 17 points from 19 games and are one point ahead of 18<sup>th spot Crystal Palace. The 56-year-old was appointed as West Brom manager earlier in the summer after Pepe Mel left The Hawthorns at the end of the last season.

"West Bromwich Albion tonight announce the departure of Alan Irvine as the club's Head Coach. Irvine leaves the club with immediate effect and has been placed on gardening leave," a statement read on the club's official.

"Assistant Head Coach Rob Kelly, with the assistance of Keith Downing, will take charge of the team for the New Year's Day game at West Ham. Albion expect to be able to name Irvine's successor by the weekend."

Meanwhile, West Brom technical director Terry Burton revealed that the lack of results led to the sacking of Irvine.

"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," Burton told West Brom's official website.

"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," he added.