Veteran Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has been dismissed just two days after losing a game to one of his former teams. A 2-1 loss at Bolton Saturday, in which U.S. midfielder Stuart Holden scored a stunning winner in the 88th minute, prompted the move. The loss dropped Rovers to 13th place in the Premier League, five points clear of the relegation zone.

The firing comes less than two months after an Indian company, Venkateshwara Hatcheries -- popularly known as Venky's Chicken -- established an English subsidiary, Venky's London Limited, that paid 23 million pounds ($36.8 million) to take over 99.9 percent of
the team.

A club statement read: "We have taken this decision as part of our wider plans and ambitions for the club. We would like to put on record our thanks to Mr. Allardyce for his contribution to Blackburn Rovers Football Club." A statement from Allardyce, via the League Managers' Association, said "I am very shocked and disappointed to be leaving Blackburn Rovers. I am extremely proud to have managed this club and I enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the players, my staff and the supporters during my time in charge. I now wish them and the football club every success for the future."

Allardyce, 56, has managed Newcastle, Bolton, Notts County Blackpool, and Limerick in a coaching career that dates back to 1994. One of the stops in a 19-year playing career included the NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies.