Parkes sacked by Blackburn after 35 years

Tony Parkes has been dismissed by Blackburn Rovers' new manager Mark Hughes after 35 years with the club. Hughes said Parkes, who on six occasions has acted as caretaker manager for the club, was the victim of a "reshuffle".

Tony Parkes has been dismissed by Blackburn Rovers' new manager Mark Hughes after 35 years with the club. Hughes said Parkes, who on six occasions has acted as caretaker manager for the club, was the victim of a "reshuffle".

Parkes joined Rovers as a player in 1969 from non-league Buxton and most recently took charge of the first team in September following Graeme Souness's departure for Newcastle United.

"Tony will be leaving his post," Hughes, the former Wales manager, said. "Unfortunately he has been the victim of a reshuffle in the club and, at the moment, there is not a position for him. I would like to thank Tony for his contribution to Blackburn Rovers. He has been at the club for 35 years but at the moment there is not a role for him so the decision had to be made."

Rovers' chief executive John Williams was due to meet Parkes yesterday morning to inform him that his contract was being terminated. But it is understood the 55-year-old first learned of his departure by reading a report in a morning newspaper.

Hughes wants to bring in Wales' Under-21s manager Glyn Hodges, and the former Sheffield United player is in talks with the club over a contract. Hodges would replace both Parkes, who was the reserve team manager at Ewood Park, and the reserve team coach Rob Kelly, who moved to Leicester City earlier this week to work alongside Craig Levein.