Albion boss Chris Hughton contacted Darren Moore to offer him support after his shock sacking by West Brom.

Hughton was "very disappointed and surprised" by the Championship club's decision, especially as Moore was another of the few managers representing black and ethnic minorities.

Hughton revealed to The Argus: "I have spoken to him. I was very disappointed and surprised.

"You don't get too many surprises now in our game, but I was very surprised and it shows now how difficult it is to be a manager in this climate, when a manager in fourth position in the Championship loses his job.

"I was very disappointed for him personally, because I felt he had done a good job there, and it's another good manager gone."

Hughton said of his motivation for speaking to Moore: "Initially it's support. However successful a manager is, there aren't many that haven't lost their job at some stage and I would have been through that.

"I don't know if it's about advice, because he is somebody I do know.

"And probably yes, disappointed as well, because at this moment we know there are not so many black and ethnic managers around and Darren, being in that position as well, perhaps made it a little bit more disappointing for me.

"He is a good fella and somebody that I know very well."