Di Matteo surprised at sacking

A ‘surprised and disappointed’ Roberto Di Matteo has decried West Bromwich Albion’s decision to relieve him of his duties on Sunday.

West Brom placed Di Matteo on gardening leave after the Baggies lost 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on Saturday.

That loss, West Brom’s 13th from their past 18 league games, leaves the Baggies a mere two points away from the drop zone.

Di Matteo’s assistant Eddie Newton and head of sports science Ade Mafe have also gone, with first-team coach Michael Appleton taking over as caretaker manager.

The Italian boss, who led the Baggies to promotion from the Championship last term, said he was bitterly disappointed to no longer be in charge of West Brom’s battle to stave off relegation.

“I was extremely surprised and disappointed to be relieved of my duties today,” Di Matteo said in a statement released through the League Manager’s Association (LMA).

“Winning promotion to the Premier League with West Brom last season was without doubt one of the highlights of my career and certainly my managerial career.”

“Playing in this league is tough and we have had to compete against some fantastic sides but we have shown that we can compete with the best.”

“Apart from the first week of the season, the club has not been in the bottom three and has an important run of home fixtures coming up.”

“I am disappointed that I don’t now have the chance to lead the team through this crucial period and keep them in the league.”

“I wish the players well over the coming weeks and I thank them for the hard work they have put in and the great attitude they have shown.”

“I would like to thank the staff at the club and of course the most loyal and fantastic fans, with whom I had a great relationship during my time at the club.”

The LMA also hit out at the sacking, with chief executive Richard Bevan criticising West Brom for a lack of loyalty to the man who guided them into the top-flight.

“Roberto represents yet another victim of the ‘hire and fire’ mentality that pervades in our game,” Bevan said.

“The club has big games ahead, against Wolves and West Ham, and you have to question the decision to sack the manager.”

“It is in exactly situations like these that we all want to see clubs back the individuals they have employed rather than see the sack as a quick-fix panacea.”

“In West Brom’s case that means showing support and loyalty to the manager that brought the club automatic promotion back to the Premier League last season, at the first time of asking, and was the league’s manager of the month only four months ago.”