There will be no Ewood Park return for Sam Allardyce next season after he opted against extending his stay with West Bromwich Albion.

The Baggies announced Allardyce would be leaving the club at the end of the 2020/21 season following their home defeat to West Ham United tonight.

Allardyce has won just four of his 25 matches in charge of the club, since taking over from Slaven Bilic, and was relegated from the Premier League for the first time in his career earlier this month.

After weighing up his future, having signed a deal through to the end of the season when installed in December, Allardyce says he will leave at the end of the season.

He said: "West Bromwich Albion made me a generous offer to stay at The Hawthorns that shows the commitment of an ambitious club. After serious consideration I have decided not to accept that offer.

“If I were to stay and achieve promotion next season the expectation would be for me to continue for at least another season and, sadly, that is not a commitment I feel able to make at this stage of my career.

"I believe the club now needs stability and continuity and this would, in my opinion, best be provided by a young and ambitious manager who can get us back to where we should be as an established Premier League football club."

Allardyce took charge of Rovers for 90 matches between December 2008 and December 2010, with West Brom his sixth job since leaving the club, including a one-game spell in charge of the England national team.

His long-term assistant Sammy Lee and first team coach Robbie Stockdale will also depart alongside Allardyce as the search for his successor gets underway.

The Baggies will be back in the Championship next season after their one-year stay in the Premier League came to an end.

Sporting director Luke Dowling said: “Sam, Sammy and Robbie came in at a really difficult time for the football club and worked tirelessly in their efforts to keep the club in the Premier League.

“Sam and his coaching staff have been excellent to work with and I would like to thank them all for their efforts.

“Sam has given his reasons for leaving and we respect his decision. He has been brilliant to work with and I wish him, Sammy and Robbie all the very best in the future. They will always be welcome at The Hawthorns.”