THE decision, when it came, was of no surprise. The timing, perhaps more so.

But when Roberto Di Matteo’s departure was finally confirmed it was hardly a shock.

Talk of his exit was being mentioned before the Blackpool game. Albion were to win that but once those seeds of doubt began, it was looking ominous.

The draw against Wigan was probably the end - had Albion lost you’d have been reading this a few days ago. Manchester City merely signed it off.

A decision was made on Saturday night, the announcement came on Sunday morning.

Di Matteo had been failing to inspire confidence for some time.

The energy had been draining out of a wilting side for a while.

The Italian has always been successful. As a player he won trophies for his clubs, caps for his country. He scored goals in three domestic finals. As a manager he had tasted success with Albion. Until this season.

Perhaps that was part of the problem. He had never tackled failure.

The inability to deal with adversity was obvious.

Appearance and image was an issue. Think back to the long haul in the Championship - during the winter out came the wooly hat and branded over-coat.

This season in the Premier League he seemed to have accumulated a wardrobe of sharp suits and designer overcoats, no matter what the weather. Image was important. And he knew cameras were pointing at him from all angles. At times he looked more like a cosmetic figure than a hands-on gaffer - which an ailing team needs now and again.

Off the field there were concerns over his application to the more mundane aspects of the job and his overall appetite for football. He needed nudging at times over his dililgence on opponents and players.

While Mowbray, Bryan Robson and Gary Megson were absorbed in football, Di Matteo never gave the impression that he was in love with the managerial side of football.

Cold he wasn't, but Albion was always another step on his career path.

That's understandable. Di Matteo is from the new intake of managers who benefitted from the riches of the Premier League.

The 40-year-old doesn't need the stress of football management. There will always be food on his family's table.

In recent weeks the team selections smacked of desperation. Players out of position.

Paul Scharner, who was sold his move on the basis of being played in midfield, was played in defence while natural centre-half Pablo Ibanez, winner of 20 plus Spanish caps, was left on the bench.

Either Pablo is the Iberian version of Terry Fenwick or something was amiss.

Likewise Nicky Shorey - who has only really had one bad game fo the club. Even when he played on Saturday, against Manchester City, you couldn’t help thinking that he knew that the hook was imminent once Marek Cech was fit again.

Chris Brunt, a left-winger, stuck in the centre or on the right. Marc-Antoine Fortuné was on the wing at Eastlands while Somen Tchoyi, Carlos Vela, Giles Barnes - all natural wide players - were warming the bench or not even in the squad.

Di Matteo did bring some pragamatism to the club. He was lauded following a brilliant promotion. As a person he was always polite, genial and could have charmed anyone. Record points and some brilliant performances along the way helped his cause.

He took on the pressures, the demands of the fans and responded. With some ease as well.