West Brom sack ex-Aston Villa and Newcastle boss Steve Bruce - week out from playing Bristol City

West Bromwich Albion are on the search for a new manager after they axed manager Steve Bruce.

Bruce’s reign as Baggies boss began in February of this year but he was unable to get them into the play-offs and they have had a dismal start to the Championship campaign.

He departs The Hawthorn’s with West Brom currently in 22nd, two points adrift of safety and occupying the final relegation spot, having drawn 0-0 with Luton Town last Saturday.

West Brom recruited the likes of trusted second-tier players Jed Wallace and John Swift, but have fallen short of their early season promotion expectations.

As a result, the Midlands club have taken the decision to sack the former Aston Villa and Newcastle United boss, becoming the ninth manager to lose their job in the Championship since the start of the season.

In a club statement on Monday morning, it read: “West Bromwich Albion have today parted company with Manager Steve Bruce. Backroom staff Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence and Alex Bruce have also left The Hawthorns.

“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Steve Bruce and his coaching staff for their efforts since arriving in February.

“Under-21s coach Richard Beale will oversee first-team affairs on an interim basis, assisted by James Morrison and Gary Walsh. The process of recruiting a new Manager is now under way and an appointment will be confirmed in due course.”

As to who may replace Bruce, they have named an interim team for the time being, but they say a manager will be confirmed in ‘due course’.

The new man could take charge in one of his first few games against Bristol City. West Brom are at home next Tuesday on October 18, with both sides in need of an upturn in form.