Such is the fickle nature of football and the managerial merry-go-round it looks likely we’ll see Chris Hughton – a manager who was unfairly sacked - replace a manager who was unfairly sacked.

That’s providing the former Newcastle boss takes the reigns, as expected, from Roberto Di Matteo at the Hawthorns.

Perhaps the decision to sack the Italian was more clear cut considering West Brom’s worrying slump but the fact is Di Matteo’s job was to do what so many have failed in the past – to keep the Baggies in the Premier League. With 13 games left he was on course to achieve it.

The stats didn’t look good, as West Brom fell to 13 defeats in 18 games when they were trounced by Man City last weekend – but how many managers would fare better with a promoted club?

They are just two points ahead of bottom club West Ham – much worse than they were a few months ago, but as with Blackpool, it was likely that the demands of the Premier League would catch up with them eventually and they would begin to look down rather than up.

The Baggies’ board will feel justified if Chris Hughton or whoever succeeds Di Matteo secures top-flight football next season.

However, West Brom are only four points from a respectable 12th place and were more than capable of climbing the table again with Di Matteo.

Time will tell if it was a calculated risk worth taking or a reckless gamble and Di Matteo may be entitled to feel hard done by, much the same way as Hughton may have felt when he was relieved of his duties on Tyneside.

With the cycle of managers changing clubs so regularly though, the irony is that Di Matteo will have little time to be feeling bitter about his departure. If and when he returns to management, chances are he’ll replace somebody who knows what it’s like to be dumped.