Birmingham City announced yesterday that they had parted company with manager Garry Monk and many fans of rivals West Bromwich Albion have been quick to criticise the decision.

In a statement on bcfc.co.uk, the club stated that the board believe the decision is "in the long term interests of the Club".

The statement also noted: "It is our intention to drive the Club forward and challenge for promotion."

"The Board of Directors feel that it is vitally important for everybody at the Club to be sharing the same vision and commitment to the plans and processes."

Assistant manager Pep Clotet will take charge as caretaker head coach and the remainder of the coaching and backroom staff, including Sean Rush, Darryl Flahavan, Ryan Needs and James Beattie, will stay in place.

According to WeAreBirmingham, the 42-year-old has been offered the job on a full-time basis.

Monk joined the Blues in March 2018 and steered them to a 17th-place finish in his first full season at St Andrew's, despite a nine-point deduction for financial breaches.

Baggies fans were quick to react to the City bosses departure, with some condemning the decision and other taking joy in their rivals' struggles.

Read the reaction of West Brom fans here: