Blackpool show Paul Ince the door

LONDON – Former England midfielder Paul Ince, pictured , was sacked as manager of Blackpool yesterday after less than a year in charge of the Championship club.

Ince, 46, was appointed last February and briefly took Blackpool to the top of England’s second tier this season after they won five of their first six games.

But they have lost eight of their last nine and sunk to 14th in the table as well as being knocked out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle by Bolton Wanderers.

His assistants Alex Rae and Steve Thompson are also leaving. Midfielder Barry Ferguson will take charge of training when the players return tomorrow, the club said in a statement.

Ince won only 12 out of 42 games at Blackpool, who are now looking for their fourth full-time man- ager since being relegated after one season in the Premier League in 2010-11.

Ince, who represented England 53 times between 1992 and 2000, played for West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Liverpool during a distinguished career. –