Rovers axe falls on Ince

Blackburn look for new boss

Last updated: 16th December 2008

Rovers axe falls on Ince

Ince: Sacked

Paul will bounce back, he is a fighter and we wish him well.

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Blackburn Rovers have confirmed that they have sacked manager Paul Ince.

Sky Sports revealed on Tuesday that Ince was meeting with John Williams about his future, and they have now confirmed his departure.

Ince only arrived in the summer from League One Milton Keynes Dons as he replaced Mark Hughes, who opted to join Manchester City.

Now with the club sat second from bottom of the table and five points adrift of safety, Rovers have decided they needed to take action.

"Three wins in 17 games has seen a squad, which finished seventh last season, fall to 19th position. We are currently in real danger of becoming detached from the pack," said chairman John Williams.

"The survival of the club in the Premier League is paramount and our focus now is on finding a replacement who will be able to maintain our top division status.

"Paul will bounce back, he is a fighter and we wish him well."

Early reports suggest that former boss Graeme Souness is one of the favourites to replace Ince, with the likes of Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley and Roberto Mancini also linked.

Former Blackburn striker Kevin Gallacher believes Ince was unlucky that circumstances conspired against him.

The ex-Scotland international said: "I think you need time to get in and blend your own style.

"Unfortunately for Paul a lot of things went wrong, two of his best players were going when he arrived, there was no money to spend, players he brought in were injured and it never settled down.

"I don't think Paul knew his best XI and I think that was the problem.

"When you are letting in an awful lot of goals you've got to rectify it and he didn't quite do that."