Dowie and Flowers sacked

Monday, February 11, 2008

The sacking of Iain Dowie and his assistant at Coventry, Tim Flowers will inevitably throw them into the running of the Saints vacancy.

The club confirmed the news in a brief statement on their website and said they would not be "making any further comment at this time".

Dowie, 43, has managed Oldham, Crystal Palace and Charlton before taking over at the Ricoh Arena last February as he succeeded Micky Adams.

Coventry ended last season in 17th place and started this season in promising fashion and beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Carling Cup.

But their league form dipped and, although they knocked Blackburn out of the FA Cup in January, they continued to struggle in the Championship as the early season hopes evaporated.

In 49 games in charge, Dowie won 20, lost 21 and drew eight.

Off the field, the club has been embroiled in takeover activity with Ray Ranson in the process of buying the club after they were on the brink of going into administration.

Ranson has 88% of shares and needs 90% before he can take full control of the Midlands outfit.