Albion have axed David Burke, their head of football operations.

His three-year reign has come to an end following a meeting today with chairman Tony Bloom, who has just returned from Australia to lead the hunt for a new manager.

Burke played a key part in the club securing category one academy status for their new training complex at Lancing.

But he has paid the price for overseeing Albion's poor summer player recruitment in his wide-ranging brief.

The failure by the Seagulls to adequately replace departed players has contributed to their position in the Championship relegation zone under Sami Hyypia, who resigned on Monday.

Bloom said: "With Sami Hyypia's resignation earlier this week, we felt it was right for the club to re-evaluate the football set-up.

"David's been with us for three years and I would like to thank him for all his hard work and endeavour on behalf of the club during that time.

"There is no question he has done an exceptional job in helping with the design of the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre and in putting in place a first-class infrastructure in the football, academy and sports science areas of the club.

"David's work in helping to establish the club's first-ever academy and to quickly gain category one status in the new world of the EPPP guidelines is highly appreciated by myself and by everyone at the club.

"He's also helped to put in place our scouting department and his work in all these areas will stand us in very good stead for the future.

"On behalf of the board I would like to thank David for these achievements and to wish him the very best for the future."

Paul Winstanley, recently installed as player identification manager in a major overhaul of the club's recruitment set-up, has taken over Burke's role as head of the scouting network.

Winstanley, formerly with Derby County, will work with Bloom and the chairman's appointment as Hyypia's successor to bring in new players in the January transfer window to boost Albion's hopes of beating the drop.

Bloom said: "Paul will also be supported by our senior scouting team of Darren Wrack, Ian Pearce and Jamie Johnson and our team of football analysts."

Burke joined Albion in January 2012 from Southampton, where he was manager of the scouting and recruitment department. He previously had two spells at Fulham and also scouted for Manchester City.

Burke said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at Albion and the club will always have a special place in my heart. I wish the club all the very best in its ambition to reach the top.

"I'm proud of much of what we have achieved in many areas with the development of the training ground and academy and particularly with the recruitment and development of the club's young and up-and-coming stars such as Rohan Ince and Christian Walton.

"I would like to thank Tony Bloom and Paul Barber (chief executive) for the chance to work for such a good club and for their support throughout my time. I would also like to thank all the staff who have worked with me. They've been superb and are a credit to the club."