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Allardyce feels he was knifed in the back

Sam Allardyce is not looking to turn his back on management © Getty Images

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Sam Allardyce is convinced his departure from Blackburn was on account of "something derogatory" being said about him to the club's new owners.

The former Bolton manager made a shock exit from Blackburn last week, with the club's new owners stating they wanted a change in management. It is the second time in his career that he has fallen victim to a new owner wanting to make changes, as he left Newcastle shortly after Mike Ashley took control in 2007.

Allardyce is deeply frustrated by his departure from Ewood Park, but it has not put him off management and he is seeking a new challenge - be it home or abroad.

"I don't think I am ready to give it up just yet," Allardyce said. "It was hard work at the beginning at Blackburn, but I have enjoyed the last two years very much indeed and I want to try and continue on with my management career."

The manner of his departure from Ewood Park, which came after little dialogue with the club's owners, has had Allardyce poring over events in a bid to get to the bottom of it.

"I really can't get it out of my mind," he said. "At some stage or other, Lynn (Allardyce's wife) has caught me staring into the air, the wilderness, and I am obviously thinking about it.

"I can't get my head around it. Having never really met the new owners and little dialogue, somebody somewhere has obviously said something derogatory to get me out of this job and that is the one thing I want to find out. I want to find out why. If I can, I will. If I can't, I will move on with my life.

"Somebody somewhere down the line has said something prior to the takeover or just after, for them to really want to ring up and say we no longer want your services."

Commenting on the prospect of working abroad, he said: "Maybe if it arises. If it does I would consider it. A new challenge would be something that might appeal to me, depending on what club and where it is. One thing I have learned is that managing Limerick City and Blackburn Rovers, there were lots of similarities."

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