Fantana
22-12-2010, 11:56 AM
Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 22 December 2010 10.24 GMT
Article history
The Blackburn captain, Christopher Samba, is to hand in a transfer request in protest at the club's sacking of Sam Allardyce. Photograph: Richard Sellers-Sportsphoto
Christopher Samba, the Blackburn Rovers captain, is intent on leaving the club in protest at the decision of the new owners, the Venky's Group, to sack Sam Allardyce.
The Indian poultry group dismissed Allardyce within a month of completing its takeover of the club and have put Steve Kean in temporary charge as a long-term replacement manager is sought.
Samba is so infuriated by his former manager's exit that he is determined to secure a move away and is expected to make a formal transfer request this morning.
"If this is the way the club's going to be run from now on, I don't want to be part of it and I want to leave," the 26-year-old said. "As captain it's very difficult to say this but I've thought long and hard about it. Nobody in football understands the decision to sack Sam. We could have been relegated last year and Sam saved the club, so how can he be treated like this now?"
Samba exempted Rovers' chairman, John Williams, from blame, before pleading for a swift decision over Allardyce's replacement.
"I'm sure Mr Williams would not have made this decision. He's a football man and respects what a great job Sam has done," he said.
He added: "The players and fans need answers about the club's future. Unless we commit to who the manager is, how can we attract big players in January?"
I'd certainly be interested in Samba. Dominant in the air, quicker than what we have and a serious threat in the opposition area. £8million may be a tad excessive but I'm sure we could throw in a makeweight to bring the price down.
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 22 December 2010 10.24 GMT
Article history
The Blackburn captain, Christopher Samba, is to hand in a transfer request in protest at the club's sacking of Sam Allardyce. Photograph: Richard Sellers-Sportsphoto
Christopher Samba, the Blackburn Rovers captain, is intent on leaving the club in protest at the decision of the new owners, the Venky's Group, to sack Sam Allardyce.
The Indian poultry group dismissed Allardyce within a month of completing its takeover of the club and have put Steve Kean in temporary charge as a long-term replacement manager is sought.
Samba is so infuriated by his former manager's exit that he is determined to secure a move away and is expected to make a formal transfer request this morning.
"If this is the way the club's going to be run from now on, I don't want to be part of it and I want to leave," the 26-year-old said. "As captain it's very difficult to say this but I've thought long and hard about it. Nobody in football understands the decision to sack Sam. We could have been relegated last year and Sam saved the club, so how can he be treated like this now?"
Samba exempted Rovers' chairman, John Williams, from blame, before pleading for a swift decision over Allardyce's replacement.
"I'm sure Mr Williams would not have made this decision. He's a football man and respects what a great job Sam has done," he said.
He added: "The players and fans need answers about the club's future. Unless we commit to who the manager is, how can we attract big players in January?"
I'd certainly be interested in Samba. Dominant in the air, quicker than what we have and a serious threat in the opposition area. £8million may be a tad excessive but I'm sure we could throw in a makeweight to bring the price down.