Dunphy: We had to let Eyre go

Rochdale chairman Chris Dunphy believes he had to sack manager Steve Eyre to save the club from "certain relegation".

Eyre and assistant Frank Bunn were relieved of their duties at Spotland on Monday with club in the League One relegation zone and on a barren run of one win in 10 matches. The former Manchester City youth coach was only appointed as Keith Hill's successor in the summer, but Dunphy felt he was left with little choice but to act ahead of the potentially season-defining festive period. "I've a lot of nice things to say about Steve Eyre and Frankie Bunn - they're nice people and they've worked very hard for the club," he told BBC Radio Manchester. "But unfortunately we're in a results driven industry. "Four wins out of 21 is not acceptable. If we carry on this form throughout the season then we'll be finishing with certain relegation, which of course has knock-on influence on the costs. "It's unfortunate, but the decision had to be taken and it had to be taken now."