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Big Sam shocked by Rovers sackSam Allardyce has expressed his shock at being sacked as manager of Blackburn.
Rovers were taken over by The Venky's Group in November and the new owners confirmed on Monday that Allardyce and assistant manager Neil McDonald would be leaving the club with immediate effect.
Although Rovers lost 2-1 at Bolton on Sunday, they sit 13th in the Premier League so the news has come as a surprise to many, not least Allardyce.
"I am very shocked and disappointed to be leaving Blackburn Rovers," he said in a statement on the League Managers' Association official website.
"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."
Allardyce was appointed in December 2008 and led Blackburn from the relegation zone to a 15th-placed finish before coming 10th in his first full season in charge.
The former Bolton boss, now 56, was touted as a potential successor to England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2006 before being given the Newcastle job in May 2007.
Mike Ashley took over the Magpies just a month later and Allardyce was forced to leave the club by mutual consent in January 2008.
"When new owners take over a club, sadly, the manager's position often hangs by a thread," added Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA.
"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.
"It is ironic that one minute Sam can be proposed as the next England manager and the next, he finds himself out of work.
"He is widely acknowledged within the game as one of the most progressive and forward thinking managers, embracing new concepts and technologies to create an environment which leads to success for his club.
"It will not be long before Sam, with his exceptional management experience, is back in a managerial post."
