Speculation linking Roy Keane to the West Brom's manager's job is set to increase after the club parted company with Steve Bruce on Monday morning.
The Baggies sacked Bruce after their 0-0 draw at home to Luton Town over the weekend, with Albion in the bottom three in the Championship table.
The club said in a statement this morning: "West Bromwich Albion have today parted company with Manager Steve Bruce.
READ MORE: Fans divided on Roy Keane over selfie incident at NFL game
"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."
Keane was pictured at West Brom's 1-0 defeat to Preston last week, leading to speculation that he could replace Bruce as manager if his former teammate was to be relieved of his duties.
The Cork native, who has forged out an impressive career as a pundit, has previously enjoyed promotion from the Championship with Sunderland, but has not been a manager since being dismissed by Ipswich Town in January 2011.
He has since worked as Martin O'Neill's assistant at Ireland and Nottingham Forest, as well as with Paul Lambert at Aston Villa.
Keane previously admitted he was interested in a return to management, saying recently: “I spoke to a couple of clubs again in the last few months. I’m a bit wary of shutting any doors on myself by saying, ‘Oh, I won’t go back into it’. Obviously, the chances are getting less and less as the months go by. I’d still like an opportunity. When I say the right opportunity – it has to be the right opportunity.
“I think every negotiation is different. I wouldn’t be setting a stone down and going, ‘It’s got to be a three-year deal, or it’s got to be in a certain area’. No. I think you have to speak to clubs, and get that vibe, and see what they’ve got to say to you. Of course [I’d consider going abroad]. Absolutely.”
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