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ESPN staff 6y

West Brom's Darren Moore relegated on same day he wins Premier League manager award

West Bromwich Albion manager Darren Moore was named the Premier League manager of the month on the day the club were relegated from the division.

Moore, appointed following the sacking of Alan Pardew in early April, has earned 11 points from a possible 15 and overseen wins against Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle and a draw against Liverpool after going two goals behind.

"I'm delighted, it has been a wonderful joint effort by everyone here," Moore told the club's website. "I stand here to collect the award but, as I've said before, it has been a joint effort by everyone at West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

"There has been unity here between all the departments of the club and together that has helped the players put the performances together on the pitch. Everyone knows my connection with the football club, I know everybody and everybody knows me. Together we're working and it's been good to see the transition over the past four or five weeks and long may that continue."

The Baggies were relegated following Southampton's 1-0 win over Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday night. Moore's side needed a draw to occur in order to take the fight into the final day of the season on Sunday.

Southampton's win confirmed West Brom's return to the Championship after eight seasons in the top flight, with an eighth place finish the best the Baggies managed during the 2012-13 season with Steve Clarke in charge.

West Brom's season started well with six points taken from a possible six after successive 1-0 wins at home to Bournemouth and away to Burnley.

However, after picking up just four points from a possible 30, Tony Pulis was sacked two days after losing 4-0 at home to Chelsea and was replaced by Gary Megson, who temporarily took charge of two games - the 1-1 draw at Tottenham and the 2-2 draw at home to Newcastle.

Pardew was named permanent manager but his arrival failed to deliver the improvement needed to guide the side away from relegation.

Pardew, who led the Baggies to an FA Cup fourth round victory at Liverpool, took charge of 17 league games, but a 2-0 home win against Brighton was all he had to show for his efforts. Problems off the pitch added to the disappointment on it when a mid-season trip to Barcelona made the headlines for the wrong reasons. Four senior players, including captain Jonny Evans and England midfielder Jake Livermore, were forced to apologise after a taxi was stolen from outside a fast-food restaurant.

On April 2, Pardew's time was up and he was replaced by Moore until the end of the season, becoming West Brom's fourth manager of the campaign.

Kieran Gibbs claimed West Brom were simply "not good enough" this season and apologised to the club's fans after relegation was confirmed.

"Horrible feeling to be relegated, especially after our recent form as a team!," Gibbs said on Twitter. "It's been a wild season on and off the pitch and has been a huge learning curve. Whatever has gone on this season there are no excuses we haven't been good enough for the majority of it.

"For that we are sorry to the W.B.A fans who have been quite unbelievable considering the circumstances. Thank you for your amazing support this season!"

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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