Following a draw at home to Ipswich Town, West Bromwich Albion have sacked manager Dareen Moore, a decision that has surprised many in football.
With the team fourth in the Championship, the news seems to have come with little warning, so what has seen the Baggies part company with Moore?
West Bromwich Albion Sack Darren Moore After Draw With Ipswich Town
West Brom Still in Play-Off Places
Moore was appointed manager with West Brom doomed to relegation from the Premier League last season. Yet, the popular former player turned the club around and brought unity in the stands and on the pitch. He got the club close to pulling off an astonishing recovery but after three less than favourable results, the board have pulled the trigger.
Whilst the recent run of form was not great, Moore still had the club in fourth place and, although automatic promotion is not realistic, it seems odd that the club feel he was going to be unable to gain promotion this season. The board have been quick to praise his commitment to the club but to suggest he was not taking the club in the right direction must hurt the outgoing manager:
“We have made it clear from the outset that everything this season was geared to making as swift a return to the Premier League as possible.
“Unfortunately Darren has not been able to engineer the consistency of form and results to convince the board that this objective would be met.
“After discussions with our owners, the difficult decision to make a change was taken. Darren’s dedication over the last 12 months is not underestimated and there will always be a welcome for him at The Hawthorns.
“But we have to place the Club’s best interests at the forefront of our thinking and we must do everything we can to try to deliver the promotion we have targeted.”
Who Next?
With this news coming somewhat out of the blue, who is in the frame to take over? Will it be a short-term appointment until the end of the season or have the board got someone in mind already?
Whatever happens next, the next manager will either prove a masterstroke or make this a calamitous decision. Either way, Darren Moore must feel hard done by tonight.
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