‘Very sad’ – Sam Allardyce gives verdict on surprise Blackburn situation

Sam Allardyce admits he feels sad to see former club Blackburn 'decline' amid the chaotic situation at Ewood Park.

Rovers boss John Eustace is close to leaving the club to take over at fellow Championship side Derby.

Eustace has reportedly cited a lack of support from the owners as his reason for wanting to join the Rams.

Derby currently sit 15 spots below Blackburn in the table and just one place above the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Rovers are inside the play-off places ahead of their clash with West Brom on Wednesday night.

Assistant manager David Lowe is expected to be in charge for that match as Eustace's exit edges closer to completion.

The club's owners, the Venky's, bought the club during Allardyce's tenure at Ewood Park over a decade ago.

However, they parted ways with him just one month later in December 2010.

Addressing their current situation, Allardyce said on How Football Works: "That's very sad for the Blackburn Rovers supporters, particularly because, you know, under Jack Walker, they were a thriving football club, won the league, and most of the fans still remember that.

"It's a very clear memory that they had way back a few years ago.

"So now, seeing Blackburn Rovers and personally, my time there, I had a fantastic time keeping the club in the Premier League, got to the semi final of the League Cup.

"And of course, since the Venky's took over, unfortunately, the club has been in decline. So it is very sad."

Allardyce spent two years as Rovers boss between 2008 and 2010, finishing tenth in the Premier League during his only full season.

He also guided the club to the semi-finals of the League Cup during that campaign.

Over 14 years on from the Venky's arrival at Ewood Park, Blackburn are now into their 13th season outside the top flight.

Those campaigns have also included one in League One following relegation to the third tier in 2017.

Allardyce was also asked about a potential return to management and didn't rule it out.

The former Bolton boss added: "Only, only if I get the call and somebody said, ‘Sam, would you, would you be interested in helping us and developing us moving in the right direction?’ I'd speak to them, obviously, and see where it went from there.

"As in actively I don't, I don't ring up and ask for every job that comes available.

"But you know somebody, if they are willing to take an old, experienced guy, like me now, then you know. You never know. Never. Say Never."

The 70-year-old has been away from the dugout since leaving Leeds in June 2023.

His four matches in charge at Elland Road ended with the club being relegated from the Premier League.