Another Premier League day, another Premier League managerial casualty.
After a week of outrage against Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley for his decision to sack Chris Hughton, Blackburn's new owners have now put themselves into the firing line by sacking a proven Premier League manager in Sam Allardyce.
The 56 year-old was recently given a vote of confidence from the chairman of the company that now owns Blackburn. Anuradha Desai said that Allardyce "deserved a chance" yet it seems that he has not been given a fair one despite declaring that "the fortress of Ewood Park is back and the walls are getting higher" following successive home victories against Aston Villa and Wolves without conceding a goal.
Following Chris Hughton's sacking last week, Sam Allardyce is the latest victim of the mindless axe-swinging from Premier League chairmen who demand instant success.
Allardyce's work at Ewood Park has been nothing short of sterling; guiding the club away from the relegation zone in his first season in charge, a Carling Cup semi-final last season and movement into the upper echelons of the table this time around - they were in 8th place after a 3-0 win against Wolves. By anyone's standards, Big Sam has done a great job at Blackburn without employing the most aesthetically pleasing tactics; a trait that divides opinion of the man.
A statement from Allardyce, via the League Managers' Association, said: "I am very shocked and disappointed to be leaving Blackburn Rovers. 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".
Stuart Holden's winner at the Reebok Stadium was the defining moment of Allardyce's last match in charge of Blackburn Rovers
Whilst Allardyce is not a man who will look for sympathy, he will, no doubt, receive it given the circumstances in which his dismissal has come about. Blackburn are currently 13th in the table and sit five points above the drop zone. This has not been deemed good enough by the new men in charge, who decided enough was enough following a 2-1 defeat in the local derby against Allardyce's former club Bolton.
Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen gave credit to the "unbelieveable job" Allardyce did during his time at Ewood Park, stating that he was "absolutely gutted" when he heard the news. Striker Jason Roberts added "I just heard it now and couldn't believe it. I don't think anybody saw it coming. I'm shocked and disappointed for the manager."
The owners have stated that the decision was taken as part of the "wider plans and ambitions for the club". The replacement will have to be someone of great calibre and there are suggestions that ex-Tottenham manager Martin Jol is favourite with Chris Hughton and Martin O'Neill not that far behind.
Were there an Englishman responsible for the big decisions at Blackburn, it is likely that Allardyce would still manager of Blackburn and looking forward to their home game with West Ham this weekend. However, given the more than questionable decision-making of Newcastle's Mike Ashley, a man Allardyce is all too familiar with, you never know what may happen in the Premier League.
Although he may be looking for work, as a man who considers his ability to be above that of a club like Blackburn Rovers, surely it is only a matter of time before Inter Milan come calling for Big Sam?
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