Blackburn sack Sam Allardyce

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce became the second mid-table Premier League manager to be sacked in eight days after the club’s new Indian owners announced his departure with immediate effect on Monday.

“We have taken this decision as part of our wider plans and ambitions for the club. We would like to put on record our thanks to Mr. Allardyce for his contribution,” said a statement on the club’s website (http://www.rovers.co.uk/).

“I am very shocked and disappointed to be leaving Blackburn Rovers,” Allardyce said in a statement on the website of the League Managers’ Association (http://www.leaguemanagers.com/).

“I am extremely proud to have managed this club and I enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the players, my staff and the supporters during my time in charge. I now wish them and the football club every success for the future.”

Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA said; “When new owners take over a club, sadly, the manager’s position often hangs by a thread. To Sam’s great misfortune this has now happened twice and, on both occasions, it has been extremely difficult to understand the thinking behind the dismissal.”