West Brom search for seventh manager in six years

West Brom are searching for their seventh permanent manager in six years after parting company with Alan Pardew.

The struggling Baggies are on the brink of Premier League relegation following eight successive defeats which led to Pardew's departure on Monday.

Albion coach Darren Moore has been placed in temporary charge of the club's first team, while Leicester assistant manager Michael Appleton has become the early favourite to fill the vacancy.

Pardew, who won just one of 18 league games, lasted only four months at The Hawthorns after replacing the sacked Tony Pulis in late November.

The 56-year-old became the fifth full-time manager to exit the club since Roy Hodgson left to take charge of England in May 2012 following the departures of Steve Clarke, Pepe Mel, Alan Irvine and Pulis.

"West Bromwich Albion and Alan Pardew have agreed to mutually part company following discussions between both parties," Albion said in a statement.

"First-team coach Darren Moore has been placed in charge of first team affairs until further notice."

Moore, whose first match in charge of the rock-bottom Baggies comes against fellow strugglers Swansea on Saturday, takes over with the club 10 points from safety.

Whether the former Baggies defender will remain at the helm until the end of the season remains to be seen.

Appleton, a former Albion player and caretaker manager, has quickly been installed as the bookmakers' favourite to permanently replace Pardew.

The 42-year-old is currently assisting Leicester boss Claude Puel at the King Power Stadium having previously been in charge at Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn and Oxford.