West Brom part company with Clarke

West Brom have relieved head coach Steve Clarke of his duties, the club announced in the aftermath of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Cardiff City.

Richard Garlick, West Brom’s Sporting and Technical Director, said in a statement on the club’s official website: “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, culminating in today’s fourth-successive defeat at Cardiff.

“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.

“Our player wage bill is the highest in the club’s history and we feel we have built a squad capable of being very competitive in the Premier League.

“We now begin the search to find a new head coach who will work within our existing structure, which has been in place for the past six years.”