Blackburn Rovers have announced that Sam Allardyce has been sacked as part of the 'wider plans' of the club's new owners.
The former Ewood Park manager has surprisingly departed the 13th-placed Premier League side along with assistant Neil McDonald, and first-team coach Steve Kean has filled the void for the 'immediate future'.
There had been rumours about Allardyce's position after The Venky's Group, Blackburn's owners, completed a takeover of the one-time Premier League champions on 19th November.
It was reported that the ex-Bolton and Newcastle boss was unhappy that large sums of money would not be made available for transfers in the January market, while there were suggestions Venky's were not happy with the club's on-field style.
A statement on Blackburn's official website read: "The Venky's Group, owners of Blackburn Rovers Football Club, has today confirmed the departure of manager Sam Allardyce and assistant manager Neil McDonald with immediate effect.
"First-team coaching duties will be taken on by Steve Kean (currently first-team coach) for the immediate future.
"We have taken this decision as part of our wider plans and ambitions for the club.
"We would like to put on record our thanks to Mr Allardyce for his contribution to Blackburn Rovers Football Club."
Allardyce, whose final match in charge was Sunday's 2-1 defeat to North West rivals Bolton, was appointed as Rovers manager in the December of 2008 on a three-year deal after he had left Newcastle at the beginning of that year.
The now 56-year-old then went on to help Blackburn to a 15th-placed finish in the top flight in the 2008/09 season, despite criticism of his tactics.
Rovers finished in 10th position in the last campaign, while they also reached the semi-finals of the Carling Cup before suffering an aggregate defeat to Aston Villa.
Allardyce's departure comes just one week after Chris Hughton became the first Premier League manager to leave his job this season after he was surprisingly sacked by Newcastle.
And Hughton has now been installed by some bookmakers as the favourite to be named as the new manager of Blackburn, although Martin Jol, who quit Ajax last week, is also thought to be a contender.
Next Permanent Blackburn Manager Next Permanent Manager: Hughton, C. 10/1
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