( CNN ) -- English Premier League strugglers West Bromwich Albion have sacked manager Roberto di Matteo following a poor run of recent results . The 40-year-old former Italian international led Albion to promotion from the Championship last season , his first at the club . And they continued that good form into the start of the current campaign , notably winning 3-2 at Arsenal and earning a 2-2 draw at Manchester United -- the only team to avoid defeat at Old Trafford this season . Their start to the season was so impressive that Di Matteo won the Premier League Manager of the Month award for September . However , results have taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks , and di Matteo was relieved of his duties following Saturday 's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City which left them just one place above the relegation zone in 16th place . A statement on the official club website read : `` West Bromwich Albion have relieved head coach Roberto di Matteo of his duties with immediate effect . `` This was the unanimous decision of the football club 's board of directors in light of a worrying sequence of results which has seen the club lose 13 of their last 18 games in all competitions , winning only three . `` First-team coach Michael Appleton will assume control of first-team affairs whilst the club considers all available options for a new head coach . '' Club chairman Jeremy Peace added : `` This has been a tough decision , but we , as a board , believe it is the right one to give the club the best possible chance of remaining in the Premier League this decision . ''
Manchester City have sacked manager Albion with immediate effect . The Italian loses his job following a run of results that has left them near the drop zone . Albion started the season well , winning at Manchester United and drawing at Arsenal . But they have struggled recently and have picked up 18 wins in 18 matches .