Press Association Sport examines the records of the five permanent West Brom managers who preceded Alan Irvine and compares them to the current Baggies boss – who has presided over seven defeats in nine Barclays Premier League games.
TONY MOWBRAY
Lost out to Derby in the 2007 Championship play-off final after taking charge the previous October. Won the Championship title and reached FA Cup semi-final the next season before Albion subsequently finished bottom of the Premier League and Mowbray headed off to Celtic in the summer of 2009.
Played 142, Won 59, Drawn 33, Lost 50. Win percentage: 41.
ROBERTO DI MATTEO
Arrived from MK Dons and the Italian won automatic promotion to the Premier League with three games of the 2009-10 season remaining. But a 6-0 opening-day defeat at former club Chelsea the following August was to prove a bad omen and he was relieved of his duties after a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City in early February 2011.
Played 83, Won 39, Drawn 21, Lost 23. Win percentage: 46.
ROY HODGSON
Put his torrid time at Liverpool behind him by stopping the slide under Di Matteo and lost only two of 12 games as Albion finished 11th in the final table – their highest league finish for three decades. Bettered it with a 10th place finish the following season before becoming England manager.
Played 54, Won 20, Drawn 14, Lost 20. Win percentage 37.
STEVE CLARKE
The Scot had coaching stints at Newcastle, Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool but this was his first permanent management role and he took Albion to eighth in the 2013-14 Premier League table – the club’s best finish since 1981. But sacked last December after four straight defeats had left West Brom two points above the relegation zone.
Played 60, Won 19, Drawn 14, Lost 26. Win percentage 31.
PEPE MEL
The Spaniard was a surprise choice to eventually succeed Clarke in January as he had no experience in English football. The former Real Betis coach signed an 18-month Albion contract but had to wait seven games for his first win and left the club by mutual consent the day after the 2013-14 season ended.
Played 17, Won 3, Drawn 6, Lost 8. Win percentage 17.
ALAN IRVINE
Although he had spells in charge of Preston and Sheffield Wednesday, his appointment was regarded as a surprise on the back of the Scot’s three years as head of Everton’s academy. Failed to win any of his first five games and after brief respite taking only four points from a possible 27 has really piled on the pressure.
Played 22, Won 5, Drawn 6, Lost 11. Win percentage 22.
