West Bromwich Albion have parted company with manager Bryan Robson "by mutual consent" after just eight matches of the new season.
Robson took over at The Hawthorns in November 2004 and, after narrowly escaping relegation in his first season in charge, led the club to relegation from the Premiership in his second season.
The Baggies have hopes of making an immediate return to the Premiership this term and though they lost the likes of Nwankwo Kanu and Tomasz Kuszczak during the summer, they managed to hold on to key players such as Curtis Davies and attracted big-name signings such as John Hartson, Kevin Phillips and Pascal Zuberbuhler. Despite this, they stumbled at the start of the season and were booed by their own fans during Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Southend, a result that left them ninth in the table, five points adrift of Championship leaders Cardiff.
Robson released a statement in which he thanked West Brom's fans and backed the club for promotion. "I've really enjoyed the short time I've been at the Albion. The fans have been different class and I just hope, with the squad of players in place, that they get back up to the Premier League, which I really believe they will do this season," he said. "I do think there's a really good squad at the club and that it's only a matter of time before they get it right, climb the table and win promotion. As far as I'm concerned, the matter is now closed."
Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace added: "After much deliberation and in view of the results since early 2006, it has been decided that a change is necessary if the club is to achieve its aims for this season and beyond. This is a very important time for West Bromwich Albion. With promotion a priority, the board felt that given the club's current league position, the best way forward was to make a change now."
Robson's erstwhile assistant, Nigel Pearson, has been appointed manager "whilst the club considers all available options". He will be in charge for tomorrow's Carling Cup clash with Cheltenham but how long he remains at the helm will depend on Peace's ability to quickly appoint a successor to Robson.
Pearson, who has enjoyed a long working relationship with Robson stretching back to his days at Middlesbrough, said: "What has happened came as quite a big shock for all of us. I spoke to Bryan today and he is, as you would expect, disappointed and upset. He has a sense of unfinished business but that's football. Bryan spoke to the players at the training ground and also the staff. The players were subdued and disappointed. It has come out of the blue. There is a fine line between success and failure and that is the situation in football."
Peace will now begin his search to find the ideal successor to Robson, with the likes of Alan Curbishley, David O'Leary and Glenn Hoddle already linked with the vacancy.
In the meantime, Pearson has to ensure the Albion players are in the right frame of mind to avoid slipping up against Cheltenham. "They are professionals and I would expect them to prepare as professionally as possible," he said. "Hopefully there will be a good reaction from the players."
