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2nd-tier Blackburn looking for fourth manager this season after firing Michael Appleton
Blackburn's manager Michael Appleton takes to the touchline before his team's English FA Cup quarterfinal replay soccer match against Milwall at Ewood Park Stadium, Blackburn, England, Wednesday March 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
BLACKBURN, England - Blackburn descended into further disarray in its first year out of the Premier League by firing Michael Appleton on Tuesday, leaving the club in search of its fourth permanent manager this season.
Appleton lasted just 67 days under Blackburn's Indian owners before departing following a run of nine games without a win in the League Championship, which dropped Rovers into 18th place in the 24-team division.
Steve Kean and Henning Berg, who had just 57 days in charge, have also been sacked this campaign.
Premier League champions in 1995 and an established top-flight club when Asian poultry giant Venky's completed a takeover in November 2010, it is now a mess and in danger of dropping into the third tier.
Rovers said in a brief statement that Appleton has been "relieved of his duties" along with three other members of his backroom staff — assistant manager Ashley Westwood, first-team coach DarrenMoore and head of senior recruitment Luke Dowling.
Appleton's last win as Blackburn coach came at Arsenal in the last 16 of the FA Cup on Feb. 16, but it missed out on a semifinal spot at Wembley Stadium by losing 1-0 to Millwall in a quarterfinal replay last week. His final game was a 1-1 draw at local rival Burnley on Sunday.
Reserve-team coach Gary Bowyer will be in charge of the first team for the remainder of the season.
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