Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tops Express & Star poll as West Brom fans have their say

The Baggies were ready to begin the hunt for Clarke's successor in earnest by holding initial discussions with the first set of hopefuls today. But former boss Roberto Di Matteo, ex-Manchester United coach Mike Phelan and one-time Baggies coach Michael Appleton have already been ruled out.

Caretaker boss Keith Downing is expected to be in charge for Saturday's crucial home game against Hull and his reign could even stretch into the Christmas programme with Albion starting the search from scratch.

The Baggies had not lined up a replacement for Clarke, whose 18-month reign was ended in person by chairman Jeremy Peace at a training-ground meeting on Saturday night in the wake of the 1-0 defeat at Cardiff.

Former Manchester United striker Solskjaer, who is in charge at Norwegian club Molde, topped an online Express & Star poll with a quarter of the votes.

The 40-year-old, who is on holiday during Norway's mid-season break, polled 25.1 per cent of 2,750 votes cast.

Meeting

Clarke, 50, told players in the aftermath of the Cardiff defeat that his future was uncertain but travelled back on the team coach to the club's training ground, where he was met by Peace and his fellow directors and told he and joint-assistant Kevin Keen were being placed on 'gardening leave'.

Clarke led Albion to eighth place in the Premier League last season but they have won just seven of their 34 league games in 2013.

Sporting and technical director Richard Garlick said: "We have not had the rub of the green this season but that does not cloud the disappointing points return during this calendar year.

"With key games coming thick and fast, we felt it was important we acted now to give the club the best possible chance of a successful outcome this season."

In another E&S poll, 52 per cent of around 3,000 fans claimed the decision to remove Clarke was wrong.

Who would you like to see as head coach at The Hawthorns? Cast your vote below