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Reuters

West Bromwich Albion have moved swiftly to sack manager Steve Clarke following the club's defeat away to Cardiff City after a dreadful run in the Premier league.
"West Bromwich Albion have this evening relieved head coach Steve Clarke of his duties and placed him on gardening leave with immediate effect," the club said. "This was the unanimous decision of the football club's board of directors following a disappointing performance throughout 2013."
West Brom, who sit two points above the relegation zone, have won only once in their past 10 league matches since beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in late September.
They surprised many by finishing eighth last season in Clarke's first year in charge, but have won only seven of 34 league matches this year, and picked up 31 points in total.
"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," West Brom's sporting and technical director, Richard Garlick, said.
"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."
The final straw was Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Cardiff, West Brom's fourth league loss in a row, after which Clarke, 50, said there was no "magic formula" for success.
"There is no magic wand," he said. "It's difficult for the players and all we can do is keep trying as hard as we can to break the run as quickly as possible."
The West Brom job, as a replacement for England coach Roy Hodgson, was Clarke's first as a manager after he worked as assistant coach at Chelsea, West Ham United and Liverpool.
His appointment was seen as a bold one but he defied the critics during his first season in charge, helped by Romelu Lukaku's 17 league goals on loan from Chelsea.
West Brom have failed to hit similar heights without the Belgian striker this season and sit in 16th spot.
Clarke's assistant, Kevin Keen, also has been placed on gardening leave, with joint assistant head coach Keith Downing taking control of the team until a new manager is in place.
Former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo, is the clear favourite to take over with bookmakers William Hill ahead of Martin Jol and Ian Holloway.


West Bromwich Albion dismiss manager Steve Clarke as losses mount

Steve Clarke is on the lookout for a new job after being sacked by West Brom. Photo: AFP

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Football