Source: Daily_Mail
Roberto Di Matteo hits out at West Bromwich Albion over sacking
Roberto Di Matteo has voiced his surprise after being sacked by West Brom on Sunday. [LNB]The Baggies placed their Italianmanager on gardening leave after their 13th defeat in 18 games,Saturday's 3-0 reverse at Manchester City, left them outside theBarclays Premier League relegation zone on goal difference alonefollowing Birmingham's victory at West Ham today. [LNB]All over: Di Matteo (left) lost his last game as West Bromwich boss 3-0 to Roberto Mancini's Manchester City[LNB]In addition, Di Matteo's assistantEddie Newton and head of sports science Ade Mafe have left the club,with first-team coach Michael Appleton taking over on a caretaker basiswhile a new manager is sought. [LNB]A statement released by Di Matteothrough the League Manager's Association read: 'I was extremelysurprised and disappointed to be relieved of my duties today. [LNB]'Winning promotion to the BarclaysPremier League with West Brom last season was without doubt one of thehighlights of my career and certainly my managerial career. [LNB]'Playing in this league is tough andwe have had to compete against some fantastic sides but we have shownthat we can compete with the best. Apart from the first week of theseason, the club has not been in the bottom three and has an importantrun of home fixtures coming up. I am disappointed that I don't now havethe chance to lead the team through this crucial period and keep themin the league. [LNB] Hammered: Manchester City skipper Carlos Tevez put three past West Bromwich at Eastlands on Saturday[LNB]'I wish the players well over thecoming weeks and I thank them for the hard work they have put in andthe great attitude they have shown. I would like to thank the staff atthe club and of course the most loyal and fantastic fans, with whom Ihad a great relationship during my time at the club.'[LNB] Albion chairman Jeremy Peaceearlier 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 chanceof remaining in the Barclays Premier League. [LNB]'Our poor sequence of results stretches back more than three months and there has been little sign of it coming to an end. [LNB]'If this run continues much longer,achieving our goal of retaining our Premier League status will becomeincreasingly difficult. That is why we felt compelled to act now.'[LNB] The LMA themselves hit out at the sacking, with chief executive officer Richard Bevan saying:[LNB]'Roberto represents yet another victim of the "hire and fire" mentality that pervades in our game.[LNB] It started so well: Peter Odemwingie celebrates with team-mates after scoring in West Brom's win over Birmingham[LNB]'The club has big games ahead,against Wolves and West Ham, and you have to question the decision tosack the manager. It is in exactly situations like these that we allwant to see clubs back the individuals they have employed rather thansee the sack as a quick-fix panacea. [LNB]'In West Brom's case that meansshowing support and loyalty to the manager that brought the clubautomatic promotion back to the Barclays Premier League last season, atthe first time of asking, and was the league's manager of the monthonly four months ago.'[LNB] But Peace defended the club'sapproach and said: 'This club's track record proves we do not take suchdecisions lightly, with Roberto being only our fourth manager or headcoach in almost 11 years.'[LNB]Albion lost just two of their firstnine league games following their return to the Barclays Premier Leaguein the summer. But they have won just three times since, losing fivesuccessive league games prior to a 3-2 win over Blackpool and alsotaking just one point from their last three games. [LNB]Peace continued: 'On behalf of theboard, I would like to thank Roberto for his efforts over the past 19months, particularly for his contribution towards last season'spromotion success and our very promising start to the current campaign.We wish him and his family well for the future.[LNB]'Roberto embraced the structure in which we wanted him to work and he has been a good colleague. [LNB]'However, we are in a results-driven industry and felt we had no choice but to act now.'[LNB] Di Matteo sacked as West Bromwich manager after miserable run of one win in 10 gamesManchester City 3 West Brom 0: Tevez puts Baggies in a spot of botherThe 2010/11 managerial merry-go-round: West Bromwich sack Di Matteo - 30 bosses gone this seasonThe Midlander: It could be another window of missed opportunity for West BromWest Bromwich Albion FC news from across the web [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Roberto Di Matteo Places: Birmingham
