Owen Coyle sacked by struggling Blackburn Rovers after less than a season in charge at Ewood Park
Rovers are second bottom of the Championship, three points from safety... but acquitted themselves well in FA Cup defeat to Manchester United last weekend
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OWEN COYLE has been sacked by struggling Blackburn Rovers after less than a season in charge at Ewood Park.
The Scot leaves Rovers second bottom of the Championship, three points from safety... but they put in a good showing in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United last weekend.
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Coyle parted company with Rovers in the build-up to their relegation crunch at Burton Albion on Friday night and following a stormy spell at Ewood Park.
The 50-year-old was never the most popular appointment among fans having managed local rivals Burnley and Bolton in the past - getting the former into the Premier League for the first time in 2009.
Having joined from MLS side Houston Dynamo, he had been taking stick from fans as the focus for the failures of owners Venkys to spend money this season.
Coyle had clashed with new football director Paul Senior after lining up targets in the January window for his depleted squad and having those moves stalled.
Coyle had clashed with new football director Paul Senior after lining up targets in the January window for his depleted squad and having those moves stalled.
Rovers have brought in over £12 million in sales since Coyle took over, with Grant Hanley and Shane Duffy leaving and Ben Marshall following.
Coyle bought just one player - Derrick Williams for £250,000 - and filled the squad with free agents and loan signings.
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A statement on their website read: "Blackburn Rovers wish to announce that manager Owen Coyle has left his role at Ewood Park by mutual agreement.
"Assistant manager Sandy Stewart, first team coach John Henry and goalkeeping coach Phil Hughes have also left the club.
"The decision has been taken in order to give the club the best possible chance of climbing to a position of safety in the Championship in the remaining 15 games, which starts with the big trip to Burton Albion on Friday night.
"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Owen and his staff for all their efforts this season and we wish them well for the future.
"The search for a new manager will begin with immediate effect."
Venkys will put former player and under-21 boss David Dunn in charge for the Burton game but have already been looking at other candidates.
Coyle joins Sam Allardyce, Steve Kean, Henning Berg, Michael Appleton, Gary Bowyer and Paul Lambert as bosses who have left during the disastrous reign of the chicken farmers from Pune.
His last game in charge saw Rovers take the lead against United and have two late goals disallowed before being praised by Jose Mourinho.
More to follow...