Paul Ince sacked as manager of Blackburn Rovers

Paul Ince, the former England captain, has been sacked as manager of Blackburn Rovers after just 21 games and less than six months at Ewood Park.

Blackburn are currently second from bottom of the Premier League table and it was decided to relieve Ince of his duties at a meeting of the club's board on Monday. It followed a run of six consecutive league defeats for the former Macclesfield and MK Dons manager.

"It is with great sadness the board announce that Paul Ince is to leave the club," a club statement read. "After a board meeting yesterday it was decided to relieve Paul of his duties.

Ince was appointed in June on a three-year contract and, despite a promising start to the campaign, saw performances and results begin to deteriorate. The club have not won since September 27 at Newcastle United and reports of dressing-room unrest began to emerge.

Graeme Souness, the former Blackburn manager, is the early favourite to succeed Ince, with veteran midfielder Tugay possibly taking up a player-coach role. Sam Allardyce, the former Bolton and Newcastle manager, appeared to rule himself out of the running at the weekend, while Alan Curbishley has also been linked with the club.