Steve Bruce SACKED - Brutal reactions from West Brom fans as the inevitable is finally announced

It turns out us Newcastle fans were right after all, as Steve Bruce has been sacked by West Brom following an awful start to the season at The Hawthorns.

After arriving when they were 5th in the Championship earlier this year, he took them backwards in his first season - where they finished 10th - but things have gone from bad to worse this term, seeing them sit third bottom of the second tier after 11 points from their opening 13 games.

A series of defeats was followed by a 0-0 draw with Luton on Saturday and Baggies boss' have clearly seen enough, handing the former Newcastle United boss his second dismissal in the last 12 months.

Bruce's backroom team of Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence and Alex Bruce have also lost their jobs, with some believing the 61-year-old will now call it a day - although we've heard that before!

Here's the official statement released by West Brom announcing his departure in the last few moments, followed by some telling reactions from Baggies fans:

West Bromwich Albion have today parted company with Manager Steve Bruce.

Backroom staff Steve Agnew, Stephen Clemence and Alex Bruce have also left The Hawthorns.

The club would like to place on record its thanks to Steve Bruce and his coaching staff for their efforts since arriving in February.

Under-21s coach Richard Beale will oversee first-team affairs on an interim basis, assisted by James Morrison and Gary Walsh. 

The process of recruiting a new Manager is now under way and an appointment will be confirmed in due course.

West Brom fans react:

Sickening how much this bloke has made in the last year from payouts for being absolutely shocking at his job, media still feels sorry for him though.

That man should not be allowed to manage/ruin any other professional football club

Good riddance. Always making excuses, always the victim, never his fault and never changing despite making the same mistakes every week.

Bruce needs to retire now. He looked way out of his depth at Championship level and barely looked interest throughout.

Our season starts here. Couldn't stand another week of watching us play like complete amateurs. This squad can do so much better if a decent manager comes in.

Talked up promotion when he arrived, then leaves us in a relegation battle less than a year later. From 5th in January to 22nd in October. What a mess.

Goodbye Steve. Your awful tactics, negative approach, long-balls and shameless interviews will not be missed by us Baggies.