West Brom confirm club president and sporting director Andrew Nestor dismissal

It emerged last weekend that Nestor, long-term ally of owner and chairman Shilen Patel, was to exit the club having been blamed for a series of failings that have led Albion to a Championship relegation dogfight.

In a short three-paragraph statement Albion described his departure as "mutual agreement".

American businessman and philanthropist Patel handed responsibility and trust on sporting matters to associate and fellow Bilkul boardroom member Nestor, but it is understood his exit came as a result of a breakdown in relations.

Nestor previously worked with Patel in their involvement with Italian club Bologna and upon the latter's takeover two years ago he was given charge of recruitment and leading head coach searches.

Nestor initially resumed the responsibilities of a sporting director before officially taking on the role. His position developed into a more overarching one at The Hawthorns and last September he was appointed to a new role of club president.

But Nestor, former general manager at Tampa Bay Rowdies in the United States, has been blamed for the failed appointment of Tony Mowbray and Ryan Mason, as well as the failure to complete a deal to appoint Swiss coach Raphael Wicky in January 2025.

Nestor brought Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay, among others, to a shortlist of head coach appointments last summer and the duo were the club's top two candidates.

Albion went with Mason and he was given considerable time to turn around a spiralling season before being dismissed on January 6 despite Nestor's very clear call for time and patience for the head coach at Christmas.

Ramsay was turned to and appointed the following week, an appointment in which Patel and Nestor both gave comment to in the club statement, despite alleged differences about the decision. Nestor did not attend Ramsay's unveiling at The Hawthorns, with Patel fronting up to the press.

It is understood Nestor was involved in the appointment and held talks with Ramsay.

Failings of player recruitment have also been laid at the former sporting director and president's door, none more so than the significant outlay of £3.4million spent on Tammer Bany, who has not been fit in more than a year.

Nestor's recruitment has been mixed at best with Norwegian defender Torbjorn Heggem, sold for a profit of £8.5m after one impressive year, the big standout. Isaac Price's acquisition was seen as shrewd business despite poor recent form.

Amid a testing time of selling the club's best assets due to the financial disaster of the previous ownership, too many transfer dealings have failed, which alongside poor head coach appointments has left the Baggies down in 22nd.