Steve Bruce sacked by West Brom after dreadful start to the Championship season

The 61-year-old has left the Baggies after a little more than eight months at the helm with staff Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence and son Alex Bruce also heading for the Hawthorns exit.

A statement on the club's official website said: "West Bromwich Albion have today parted company with manager Steve Bruce.

"Backroom staff Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence and Alex Bruce have also left The Hawthorns.

"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Steve Bruce and his coaching staff for their efforts since arriving in February.

"Under-21s coach Richard Beale will oversee first-team affairs on an interim basis, assisted by James Morrison and Gary Walsh.

"The process of recruiting a new manager is now under way and an appointment will be confirmed in due course."

Former Newcastle head coach Bruce was appointed as Valerien Ismael's successor in February, three-and-a-half months after his turbulent reign at St James' Park had drawn to a close, and handed the challenge of taking the club back into the Premier League.

However, he was only able to guide them to a 10th-place finish at the end of last season and a return of just one league win from the first 13 games of the new campaign - 5-2 against Hull on August 20 - which had left them in 22nd place on only 11 points, proved fatal.

They head for former Manchester United team-mate Paul Ince's Reading on Saturday with the Royals riding high in fifth place despite Friday night's 2-1 defeat at QPR.