BLACKBURN, England -- Blackburn has confirmed on Monday that manager Sam Allardyce has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.

The club's new owners, Venky's Group, has fired Allardyce after Blackburn's 2-1 defeat at Bolton on Sunday, which leaves the club in 13th place in the league table.

Allardyce, who previously managed at Bolton and Newcastle in the Premiership, took over for Paul Ince in December 2008 and led the club to a 10th-place finish last season.

Assistant Neil McDonald will also leave along with Allardyce, with coach Steve Kean taking over on an interim basis.

A statement on the club's official website read: "The Venky's Group, owners of Blackburn Rovers Football Club, has today confirmed the departure of manager Sam Allardyce and assistant manager Neil McDonald with immediate effect.

"First team coaching duties will be taken on by Steve Kean (currently 1st team coach) for the immediate future.

"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."

Blackburn's next game will be Saturday at home against last-place West Ham.