Ince and Allardyce (since 2008)
After the 2007–08 season, Mark Hughes released three senior players who were out of contract — defenders Stéphane Henchoz and Bruno Berner and goalkeeper Peter Enckelman. Tugay Kerimoğlu was given yet another one year contract which included a possible move into coaching as well as playing, whilst young defender Martin Olsson was also given a new contract. On top of this, Stephen Warnock was also handed a new contract and was also called into the England squad, where he won his first cap.
Paul Ince, who took Milton Keynes Dons to the League Two title in 2007–08, was also linked with the manager's job. On 19 June, BBC Sport revealed that Paul Ince was set to replace Hughes as Blackburn manager. In the final few days of the selection process it was also revealed that Michael Laudrup was interested in the job. On 22 June 2008, it was officially confirmed by the Blackburn Rovers Website/club, that Paul Ince had indeed been brought in to manage Rovers, signing a three-year deal at the club. Ince was presented to the media on Tuesday 24 June. Ince's first job though as the Blackburn Manager is to persuade some of the wantaway players to stay. On 4 July, Paul Ince signed experienced coach Archie Knox, who will be taking over as 1st team coach for the oncoming season.
Before the start of the 2008–09 season, regular goalkeeper Brad Friedel and England international winger David Bentley left the club. Goalkeeper Paul Robinson then became Ince's first signing on 25 July for a fee of £3.5 million.
Ince's reign as Blackburn Rovers manager got off to the perfect start, with a 3–2 away win against Everton FC in the first game to the 2008–09 season. Blackburn drew 1–1 at home to Hull City before two heavy defeats to West Ham and Arsenal. They bounced back well and recorded back-to-back wins against Fulham and Newcastle United, but faded drastically: three draws and seven defeats, including five defeats in a row to saw Blackburn slip to 19th in the table after 16 games. This led to Ince coming under increasing pressure: he enjoyed some success in the Carling Cup, with wins over Everton and Sunderland. Eventually Ince paid the price for poor results, and a 3–0 defeat away to Wigan saw him sacked a few days later. He was replaced by the former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce. Allardyce secured Premier League survival, and despite a difficult start to the 2009–10 season Rovers recovered well in the second half of the campaign to secure a comfortable 10th place finish with 50 points — placing them 20 points clear of the relegation zone.
Read more about this topic: History Of Blackburn Rovers F.C.