Blackburn Rovers have appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager on a three-year contract.
Rovers sacked Paul Ince on Tuesday and made it clear they wanted a new boss in charge for Saturday’s crucial relegation battle against Stoke.
The former Bolton and Newcastle boss has made no secret of his desire to return to management since leaving St James’ Park in January.
Allardyce, 54, along with ex-England boss Steve McClaren, was a contender for the Ewood Park hot-seat in the summer, but Ince – who was sacked on Tuesday – was the preferred candidate.
Graeme Souness, who managed Rovers between 2000 and 2004, was also rumoured to be close to making a return to the one-time Premier League champions but he ruled himself out of the running on Wednesday morning.
Ince was sacked by Rovers after only 17 Premier League games in charge.
Rovers are second from bottom of the Premier League and have not won in the league since they defeated Newcastle on 27 September.
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