New Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce insists he is the man to save the club from relegation just six months after turning down the opportunity to manage at Ewood Park. After initially rejecting Rovers chairman John Williams' first approach to over the club in the summer, Allardyce claims he is now ready to step back into coaching.

He said: "Six months ago it was a case of speaking with John Williams, going home and talking to my better half.

"After 15 years straight managing and coaching I decided it was too early to jump back into the mainstream.

"Now I can get going in terms of getting my teeth stuck into the job and improving results, certainly in the beginning."

He added: "It's difficult - an unexpected position I think.

"Everyone here didn't expect the club to be in the position it is.

"But I've been there before and now the players must respond very quickly.

"You can never say you are too good to go down - clubs have fallen foul of that before - but the players have to play to the maximum of their ability to get us out of trouble, hopefully as quickly as possible."