Soccer:Sam Allardyce has been chosen as the man to lead Blackburn away from relegation danger after the club moved swiftly to sign him up in case Sunderland made a move.

Allardyce was thought to be high on the Wearsiders' list of candidates and Blackburn chairman John Williams, keen to ensure he secured his number one choice, today swooped for the 54-year-old former Bolton and Newcastle manager just 27 hours after sacking Paul Ince.

Allardyce, the former Bolton and Newcastle manager, has been appointed on a three-year contract.

Allardyce had been linked with the job before Ince was appointed in the summer but ruled himself out of the running, and today he explained that as "a misunderstanding".

"I am very, very pleased indeed. I'm not saying more than that at the moment," said Allardyce.

Asked about his decision to take a job he apparently did not want in the summer, he said: "That was all a misunderstanding, that. I'm just glad I'm here now."

Allardyce, who will be formally unveiled at a news conference at Ewood Park tomorrow afternoon, said he would "wait and see" about whether funds would be made available to him to sign new players in the transfer window.

His eight successful years as Bolton manager persuaded the Rovers board that he is the man to rescue Blackburn from the threat of relegation.

Allardyce guided Bolton to promotion to the top flight in 2001 and then established them as a Premier League force, qualifying for the Uefa Cup in 2005.

His nine months at Newcastle were not a success. He was appointed by Freddy Shepherd but within a few months Mike Ashley had taken over the Magpies and Allardyce left the club in January this year.

Blackburn need the Bolton version of Allardyce to rescue them from their current predicament - they are currently second from bottom of the Premier League with 13 points from 17 games, and have not won in their last 11 league games, losing their last six.

Williams, Blackburn's chairman, was keen for the new manager to be in position before Saturday's visit by Stoke.

Williams said: "You can't underestimate how much of a boost a physical presence could have on Saturday for what is an absolutely mammoth game.

"Everyone needs to know how big this game is as this is a time the club really has to come together."

Allardyce's appointment certainly impressed the bookies with odds against them surviving in the top flight being slashed to 4-9.

Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said: "Allardyce has been in a similar situation with Bolton. His experience will stand Blackburn in good stead."