West Bromwich Albion have announced the sacking of manager Alan Irvine after just six months in charge.
Irvine, who replaced Pepe Mel in the summer, managed just four wins in 19 Premier League games and Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Stoke saw the Baggies sink to within a point of the relegation zone.
Assistant head coach Rob Kelly, with Keith Downing, will take charge for the New Year's Day game at West Ham with a manager expected to be appointed by the weekend. Former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood and ex-Crystal Palace and Stoke manager Tony Pulis are the early favourites for the job.
A statement issued by WBA late on Monday evening from the club's technical director, Terry Burton, read: "We appointed Alan in the summer convinced that we had taken on one of the foremost coaches in the UK and nothing that has happened since then has altered our view.
"The individual progress of our players such as Craig Dawson and Saido Berahino are testament to that. But sadly that simply has not translated into results and they remain the ultimate currency of Alan's position.
"Securing a sixth season in the Premier League is the over-riding target and sometimes unpleasant decisions have to be taken to serve that imperative. Alan has impressed everyone with his manner, dedication and diligence but he knows that results have simply not been good enough.
"We place on record our gratitude for his efforts and hold nothing but good wishes for his future endeavours. This was a decision taken with regret but sadly driven by necessity."
Irvine admitted the sack could be looming after the loss at Stoke, their seventh in nine Premier League games.
Away supporters at the Britannia Stadium hurled flak at Irvine after the final whistle as he made his way towards the tunnel, and the Scot stressed in his post-match press conference he could understand them voicing their frustration.
Asked if he still felt he would be in his job by the new year, Irvine said: "I hope so, but I'm not in control of that, so I don't know. I believe I am [capable of turning things around] and I think the players believe we all are as well.
"But obviously, it is other people who will make decisions as far as that is concerned. I want to carry on. I want to still do this job and I want to see it turning around, and that is not going to change.''
Regarding the criticism he received from the stands, Irvine said: "I can understand that people are frustrated -- I'm frustrated, and so are the players. I can understand fans expressing that frustration. That is the nature of the job.
"If anyone is to take it, I am the person that is standing there. I stand out there and I don't hide -- I'm there to be shot it. And, obviously, ultimately I make the final decisions, so, certainly, I'm prepared to take the criticism.
"I don't know if they [the fans] would have necessarily wanted me to acknowledge them [as he walked past them at the end]. What do you do in those circumstances? I just walked down the tunnel.
"I am bitterly disappointed as well -- it means an awful lot to me, and I know it means an awful lot to them.''