A week after being hammered 4-0 on their travels, West Brom were held 1-1 at home by basement side Ipswich Town. That proved to be the final knell for Darren Moore, with he and the Baggies parting company.
That draw, against a side 12 points from safety and staring relegation in the face, was the final straw for the powers that be at West Brom.
The full statement issued by the club cites a loss in form over recent games as to blame. Chief Executive Mark Jenkins said the following:
“This has been an enormously difficult decision for a Club which will always hold Darren in such high regard. He took over at a very difficult time last season and reunited the Club, a contribution that will never be forgotten. But 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.”
As well as Moore, assistants Graeme Jones and Wayne Jacobs have also left the club. First-team coach James Shan has been installed as caretaker manager, the Baggies looking to appoint a new man at the helm as quickly as possible.
Albion sit handily poised in 4th place in the Championship table, nine points behind the automatic promotion places and seven points safe in the play-offs. However, as can be seen from West Brom have said, that is not good enough and Darren Moore has paid with his job.
It’s a decision that has certainly come out of the blue, and it has gotten Baggies fans talking. Here’s what some West Brom fans are saying on Twitter – and many are not happy.
West Brom fans react to shock Darren Moore sacking
https://twitter.com/OurDave_/status/1104468240867184641?s=20
@WBA I thought it was #WeNotMe No one has brought us together like #BigDave since #Megson…. Can't get my head round this #WBA
— Tom B (@1987tjb) March 9, 2019
Big Dave you will always be a legend at our club! The job you have done this season is nothing short of superb! Hopefully you go on to have a great career in management wherever you end up! #theresonlyonebigdave #wba thanks for the memories 👏👏👏
— Stephen 👨👩👦👦 (@stebaker) March 9, 2019
Ridiculous decision! Best thing for the club would be for Lai to sell up! Has no interest in the Albion, didnt back manager financially & now he’s an easy scapegoat. Absolute shambles top to bottom. #wba
— JCorz (@JohnCorfield7) March 9, 2019
Absolutely gutted, what a poor decision by the club
— Air Ethan (@Ethanwalker98) March 9, 2019
No Graham Jones either then. They better have someone lined up, FFS…. #wba #bigdave ❤️⚪️🔵
— bobby J (@robbyofsmeth) March 9, 2019
Been done dirty! Good luck big dave shame you couldn’t please the negative percentage our fans @DarrenMooro #wba pic.twitter.com/kCePrIn8OM
— kie stampe (@KieeStampe) March 9, 2019