West Brom chiefs axed by furious owner Lai

WEST BROM owner Guochuan Lai stunned the club yesterday by sacking chairman John Williams and CEO Martin Goodman. Chinese billionaire Lai made the decision after becoming angered that the club have won just three Premier League games all season, in the hope that his drastic action might trigger a response from players. Lai holds Williams and Goodman responsible for West Brom being seven points from safety and in 20th place. He has brought Mark Jenkins back to the club as chief executive, a role he held under previous owner Jeremy Peace. Alan Pardew has overseen only one Premier League win in 13 matches since taking over from Tony Pulis, but his position is not under threat. The manager yesterday flew with his squad to Spain for warm-weather training. They are due back on Friday afternoon ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Southampton. The priority for Lai remains the Premier League, however, and Williams and Goodman have paid the price for the club’s plight having only been appointed in August 2016 and January 2017 respectively. It is understood that Lai now sees sacking Pulis as a mistake. The club’s owner was also frustrated by the fact that they were unable to strengthen in January due to Financial Fair Play regulations, having spent £40million the previous summer. It meant Pardew could only bring in Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge on loan to aid their survival bid. Sturridge did not travel to Spain, having injured a hamstring in Monday’s defeat at Chelsea. He will remain at West Brom for treatment in the hope that he will be fit for the visit of Huddersfield on February 24.