BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
BLACKBURN ROVERS legend Chris Sutton has described his old club as an “absolute mess” after the Championship strugglers parted company with Owen Coyle – just 48 hours running Manchester United close in the FA Cup.
The former St Johnstone boss departed on Tuesday afternoon following eight months in the Ewood Park hot-seat, with the Lancashire outfit currently in the relegation zone and facing a crucial clash at the foot of the table against Burton Albion on Friday night.
Rovers did turn in an impressive display against Premier League giants United on Sunday, taking the lead before slipping to a narrow 2-1 defeat. However, that was not enough to save his job and the club have now begun the search for their ninth manager since 2008.
And Sutton, who fired Blackburn to the Premier League title alongside Alan Shearer in 1994/95 as part of the famed ‘SAS’ strikeforce, pulled no punches in the assessment of the situation under the much-maligned stewardship of the Venkys.
The straight-talking pundit tweeted: “What an absolute mess the club is in! It would big a bigger help if a few others left as well!”
Coyle, who also enjoyed stints in charge of Burnley, Bolton, Wigan and Houston Dynamos, leaves Rovers with a record of just 11 wins from 37 matches since replacing compatriot Paul Lambert last June.
Coyle’s assistant, fellow Scot Sandy Stewart, has also been sacked by the club.
A Blackburn spokesperson confirmed: “Blackburn Rovers wish to announce that manager Owen Coyle has left his role at Ewood Park by mutual agreement.
“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.”
