Axe falls on Di Matteo as relegation fears rise

WEST BROM yesterday sacked Roberto Di Matteo and placed him on gardening leave following the club’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester City.

The result was the Baggies’ 13th loss in 18 games in all competitions and left them only two points clear of the relegation zone.

First-team coach Michael Appleton will take over on a caretaker basis while a replacement is sought.

Di Matteo’s assistant Eddie Newton and head of sports science Ade Mafe have also left the club.

Chairman Jeremy Peace said: “This has been a tough decision but we, as a board, believe it is the right one to give the club the best possible chance of remaining in the Barclays Premier League.

“Our poor sequence of results stretches back more than three months and there has been little sign of it coming to an end.

“If this run continues much longer, achieving our goal of retaining our Premier League status will become increasingly difficult. That is why we felt compelled to act now.”

Albion lost just two of their first nine league games following their return to the Premier League in the summer. But they have won just three times since, a run that sealed Di Matteo’s fate.