BLACKBURN // Sam Allardyce took over as manager of Blackburn Rovers today, setting out to save the Barclays Premier League team from relegation a day after they sacked Paul Ince. Blackburn announced that the former Bolton and Newcastle boss had agreed to a three-year contract to take over the team, who currently sit second from bottom in the league and play Stoke at home on Saturday. Ince was fired after only six months in charge but with the club having gone 11 games without a win.
The club then moved quickly to bring in a man with a solid record at Bolton, but who endured a difficult spell at Newcastle. Allardyce got Bolton promoted to the Premier League and left after four consecutive top-eight finishes, which also included their first ever seasons in the Uefa Cup. He quit Bolton and took over at Newcastle but parted company with the club after only eight months. He left St James' Park with the team 11th in the league but now takes charge of a team in much deeper trouble.
Graeme Souness, who had the Blackburn job for four years until 2004, had been the favourite to replace Ince, but he appeared to rule himself out hours before Allardyce was appointed. *AP