Steve Clarke has been relieved of his duties as manager of West Bromwich Albion after just under a season and a half in charge of the West Midlands club. Clarke's Baggies were the big overachievers of the previous campaign, but without Romelu Lukaku up top, their attack has suffered.
West Brom have lost four consecutive games and have not won in their last six. This huge dip in form has seen them plunge down to 16th in the standings, just two points clear of the relegation zone. West Brom were also much worse in the second half of last year than the first, and have won just seven of 34 Premier League matches in 2013.
In a statement on the club's website, club sporting director Richard Garlick discussed his club's decision to make the move.
"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."
Clarke, a former assistant manager at Chelsea, replaced Roy Hodgson as manager after he left West Brom to take over England's national team. Keith Downing will take over as interim boss, while Clarke's assistant Kevin Keen has been placed on leave.