BREAKING: Valerien Ismael sacked by West Brom after less than a year in charge

West Bromwich Albion have sacked manager Valerien Ismael less than 12 months into his four-year deal with the club.

Ismael's dismissal comes off the back of three defeats in the last four Championship games, leaving Albion in fifth place and well adrift of the automatic promotion spots.

The 48-year-old had taken over at The Hawthorns in the summer after impressing in charge of Barnsley, but has been dismissed after less than one season.

West Brom were among the favourites for promotion after being relegated from the Premier League last season, and invested in their squad in a bid to bounce straight back to the top flight.

However, with 17 games remaining and an eight-point gap to the top two, Ismael has been relieved of his duties.

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