Blackpool sack manager Paul Ince

Paul Ince has been sacked as manager by Blackpool and his assistant, Alex Rae, will also be leaving the club.

The club put out a statement saying: “Blackpool Football Club can confirm that manager Paul Ince and assistants Alex Rae and Steve Thompson have had their contracts terminated with immediate effect.

"Barry Ferguson will take charge of training when the players return on Thursday. A further announcement will be made in due course.

According to the Lancashire Telegraph, the former Rangers and Scotland captain, Ferguson, is likely to be named as manager in his place. Ferguson moved to Blackpool as a player from Birmingham City in 2011.

The 46-year-old won 12 out of his 42 games in charge at Bloomfield Road, Ince taking over from Michael Appleton in February last year.

Ince was summoned to Oyston’s house on Sunday evening for four hours of talks about his future following the 2-0 defeat against Barnsley at the weekend.

Saturday’s loss at the league’s bottom club was Blackpool’s ninth defeat in 10 matches and sparked angry scenes as supporters targeted Ince after the game.

Tensions have risen at Bloomfield Road not only as a consequence of poor results, that have left Blackpool 14th and eight points clear of the relegation zone, but by reports that Ince's son, Thomas, was in talks over a move to Monaco before the Barnsley game.

The England Under-21 international is out of contract in the summer and a transfer abroad would reduce the amount of compensation Blackpool would receive.

Guardian Service