Tony Pulis has been sacked by West Brom

[bennythedip2]

Tony Pulis has been sacked as West Brom head coach. (November 20 2017)

The 59-year-old has left his position as head coach at the Hawthorns after just two wins in his last 21 Premier League games following Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Albion are just a point and a place above the relegation zone after an 11-game winless run in all competitions.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has been installed as 2/1 joint favourite for the post alongside Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes. Sam Allardyce (5/1) and Alan Pardew (8/1) are next in the betting.

Chairman John Williams told the club's official site: "These decisions are never taken lightly but always in the interests of the club,"

"We are in a results business and over the back end of last season and this season to date, ours have been very disappointing.

"We would like to place on record our appreciation of Tony's contribution and hard work during a period of transition for the club which included a change of ownership. We wish him well in his future endeavours."

TONY PULIS' WEST BROM REIGN IN NUMBERS

37 - West Brom's average possession this season is the lowest in the Premier League.

22 - The Baggies had just 22 per cent of the ball in last month's 3-2 home loss to Manchester City.

1 - West Brom have had more possession than their opponent only once this term, at Brighton in a 3-1 defeat in September.

109 - goals scored by Pulis' side in 106 matches.

6 - number of clean sheets West Brom have kept this calendar year.

11 - games since West Brom last won.

2 - number of victories the Baggies have recorded in their last 21 Premier League fixtures, both of which came in August.

4 - the run of league defeats that signalled the end of Pulis' reign.

Assistant head coach Gary Megson, who was manager between 2000 and 2004 and returned to the club in the summer, has been put in caretaker charge. Megson is a 10/1 shot to take the job on a permanent basis.

Owner Guochuan Lai watched the Chelsea defeat after flying over from China for a pre-arranged trip and is now tasked with finding a new manager.

Pulis replaced Alan Irvine when the Baggies were a point above the relegation zone in January 2015, eventually leading them to 13th.

They finished 14th in 2015-16 and came 10th last season but failed to win any of their final nine matches.

Pulis made a defence of his record before the Chelsea defeat, suggesting Albion would struggle to get a better replacement.

"If I left tomorrow I'd put my record on the table and put it in front of anybody and see what they think of what I've done here in three years," he said on Friday.

[tiredeyes]

Nailed on next Wales manager.