PAUL SCHARNER believes West Brom are paying the price for allowing manager Tony Pulis to destroy the club’s DNA.

The Baggies look doomed to the Championship despite sacking the Welshman in November and replacing him with Alan Pardew.

9 Paul Scharner claims West Brom lost class and vision in the Tony Pulis reign Credit: Dave Pinegar - The Sun

But Scharner — a cult hero during two seasons at The Hawthorns from 2010 to 2012 — claims the damage was done by giving Pulis too much power.

The former Austria midfielder also blames a stifling of West Brom’s ­footballing style and a lack of vision.

He said: “The main problem is that, in nearly three years, he built his Pulis way, his Pulis structure, and it’s then difficult to unpick that way of working.

“Whoever went in there was going to find it tough. It needed a magician.

9 Former West Brom star Paul Scharner says ex-boss Tony Pulis aimed too low Credit: Dave Pinegar - The Sun

9 Austrian star Paul Scharner was a cult hero during his two years with West Brom Credit: AFP

“Was it necessary to give so much power to the manager? The board allowed Pulis to destroy the club’s DNA.

“Do you remember the ­football West Brom played before he came? It was about keeping the ball, possession football. That was their DNA. It didn’t matter whether the club went up and down, that was how they played.

“Now it’s difficult because there is no playing philosophy left and there are virtually no players left who identify with the club’s philosophy.”

Scharner also thinks the club have been guilty of setting their vision too low.

The 38-year-old said: “It’s not enough to say, ‘I want to stay in the Premier League’. What’s that for a goal? What happens if you miss that target? You’re down. It’s not enough.

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“A friend of mine spoke to Pulis, who said, ‘West Brom can never finish in the top six so that’s why I aim just to stay in the league’. That isn’t right. What message does that send to the players?

“At the end of their careers, footballers speak about trophies they’ve won.

“I can mention winning the FA Cup at Wigan but can’t speak about that at West Brom.

9 Paul Scharner's career peaked with Wigan winning the FA Cup in 2013 Credit: EPA

“I loved my time at The Hawthorns and playing for their wonderful fans but football is about winning, not surviving.

“The club must be more positive and speak about higher expectations.”

Scharner, who was capped 40 times for Austria, added: “What’s the communication policy there? It must be wrong because no one knows what the club’s vision is or what they want to achieve.”

He urges West Brom to take relegation as a chance to set out a long-term vision. The ex-midfielder — signed from Wigan by Roberto Di Matteo — said: “When you get relegated, it’s a step back. You must restructure and come again.

“But you can’t just restructure for one or two years, you need to find a vision for the next ten years and build on that.

“Then, by the next promotion, you’ll be strong enough for the Premier League for many, many years.

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9 Paul Scharner says WBA were known for a passing game until Tony Pulis took over Credit: Dave Pinegar - The Sun

“Albion should set themselves an aim to be back in the Premier League in four or five years. If they set a long-term plan, it’ll work better.

“You must aim to play Champions League football at least once in the next ten years.

"That’s what I call a vision. If you set yourself the lowest target — staying in the league — and you don’t reach it, then you’re relegated.”

Scharner reckons the Baggies need to revert to a more ­European-style structure.

9 Tony Pulis was axed by West Brom in November and replaced by Alan Pardew Credit: AP:Associated Press

He said: “I don’t just mean recruitment. I got the feeling Pulis decided everything.

“The manager should only be in charge of the first-team players and tactics.”

Scharner was appalled his ­former team-mate Chris Brunt was hung out to dry after losing his rag with boss Pardew and his team-mates after their 2-1 home loss to Huddersfield a few weeks ago.

9 Sun man Justin Allen chats to former WBA and Wigan ace Paul Scharner Credit: Dave Pinegar - The Sun

He added: “I’m certain no one in the team, apart from Chris, is identifying with what the club is about.

“Brunty has been there ten years and suddenly, after he tells a few home truths, he’s being made to look like he’s a bad man.

“How is that possible? He knows the club and what is happening there.

“From where I’m standing, the players just think, ‘Well, the club is getting ­relegated. I’ll just move somewhere else’.

“How can you be successful when you have players with that attitude? That must change at West Brom.”

9 Paul Scharner let rip on the plight of WBA but also saw the funny side of football Credit: Dave Pinegar - The Sun

9 Paul Scharner insists even clubs like West Brom should start the season aiming for the Premier League top six - or else it sends a bad message to their players Credit: Dave Pinegar - The Sun

Scharner — who now runs a football consultancy business — revealed his own days at the Baggies were numbered after he fell out with manager Roy Hodgson.

The Austrian was in his second season there and said: “I went into Roy’s office and told him, ‘You’re the most negative-thinking manager I’ve played for’.

“You should’ve seen his face, he wasn’t happy. He didn’t like the truth.

“I had a clause that if I started 25 games, I’d get an extra year’s extension. But he saw to it that I only started 23.”