Former West Bromwich Albion manager Darren Moore has broken his silence on his controversial departure from the Hawthorns, admitting that his sacking came as a shock to him.

The 44-year-old was relieved of his duties by the club last month, after a 1-1 draw at home to the division's bottom side Ipswich Town put their hopes of an automatic promotion finish in limbo.

It was a decision that surprised the majority of Albion fans - Moore had been given the job on a permanent basis after almost keeping them up in the Premier League the season before.

The rookie manager guided his side to within touching distance of the top two with the likes of fellow relegated teams Stoke City and Swansea failing to launch an assault on the top half of the table.

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Speaking on Goals on Sunday, via reports from the Express and Star, Moore said: "Like everybody else, it came as a surprise. I understand that’s football. I’ve always worked very hard for the football club."

"It was a shock at the time but I am buoyed by where the club was at and where I’ve left it at now. And hopefully I've given them the platform this season to claim that Premier League prize."

"There’s a lot of wonderful people at the club, and they’ve worked really hard since pre-season. I sincerely hope the club push it over the line and make it to the Premier League."

Moore's successor, James Shan, looks set to be given the job until the end of the season, and has made a perfect start to life in charge of the West Midlands club.

After three league wins on the bounce, Albion sit six points off the automatic promotion spots in 4th spot.

The Verdict

I still feel really sorry for Moore - the sacking was absolutely disgraceful in all honesty.

It's even more bizarre now that they have decided to give Shan the job until the end of the campaign, despite the board wanting an experienced option at the time.

They will be hoping that they have made the right decision here.