West Bromwich Albion say they hope to appoint a new manager by the weekend after sacking Alan Irvine last night. 

The Baggies have won only twice in their last nine Premier League games and sit just above the relegation zone. 

Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood is the odds-on favourite to succeed Irvine at the Hawthorns, while Tony Pulis is the only other candidate in the running for the job according to the bookies.

Sky Sports News reported this morning that West Brom are already in talks with former Stoke and Crystal Palace manager Pulis.

“We appointed Alan in the summer convinced that we had taken on one of the foremost coaches in the UK and nothing that has happened since then has altered our view," said West Brom Technical Director Terry Burton. 

“But sadly that simply has not translated into results and they remain the ultimate currency of Alan’s position.

“This was a decision taken with regret but sadly driven by necessity.”