West Bromwich Albion have this evening relieved Head Coach Steve Clarke of his duties and placed him on gardening leave with immediate effect.
This was the unanimous decision of the Football Club's Board of Directors following a disappointing performance throughout 2013.
Albion have won only seven of their 34 Barclays Premier League games during the calendar year – a 20 per cent win percentage yielding a total of only 31 points – despite a substantial investment in the first-team squad.
Joint-Assistant Head Coach Keith Downing will a**ume control of first-team affairs whilst the Club considers all available options for a new Head Coach.
Sporting & Technical Director Richard Garlick said: "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.”
Clarke's a**istant Kevin Keen has also been placed on gardening leave.
The Board will make no further comment until a new Head Coach has been appointed.