Ince fired by struggling Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn have relieved manager Paul Ince of his duties.

A sixth successive Premier League defeat at the weekend, 3-0 at Wigan, extended Rovers' winless run to 11 matches and increased the scrutiny on Ince who has paid with his job.

The Blackburn board met on Monday to discuss the future of the former Macclesfield and MK Dons boss, who guided Rovers to just three wins in 17 league games since his appointment in June.

He leaves with the Lancashire club second bottom of the league and his former assistants in Archie Knox and Ray Mathias have taken temporary charge

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

"The board, having selected Paul back in June, were desperate for him to succeed and wanted to give him as much time as possible in the unforgiving environment of Premier League management, where time is such a precious commodity."

Chairman John Williams added: "Three wins in 17 games has seen a squad, which finished seventh last season, fall to 19th position. We are currently in real danger of becoming detached from the pack.

"The survival of the club in the Premier League is paramount and our focus now is on finding a replacement who will be able to maintain our top division status.

"Paul will bounce back, he is a fighter and we wish him well."

Replacements for Ince are already being touted around with former Rovers boss Graeme Souness seemingly the new favourite.

Alan Curbishley, Burnley boss Owen Coyle and Sam Allardyce have also being linked.