JIM Magilton has sympathised with Iain Dowie after his sacking by Coventry City.

Derek Davis

JIM Magilton has sympathised with Iain Dowie after his sacking by Coventry City.

The two managers are close friends and Magilton said: “That was very harsh. Coventry now have to find a new manager who doesn't know the squad and start all over again.

“It is another manager who has lost his job so we know how precarious it is.”

Dowie, along with his brother Bob Dowie and assistant manager Tim Flowers, were left the Ricoh Arena, with Frankie Bunn and John Harbin placed in charge of team affairs for tomorrow's league clash at home to Cardiff.

A statement on Coventry's official website said: "Iain Dowie, Tim Flowers and Bob Dowie have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect."

The former Northern Ireland international, 43, took over at Coventry last February, replacing Micky Adams, who was sacked the previous month.

Dowie had been out of work after leaving Charlton in November 2006. He had been in charge at The Valley for just six months but paid the price for a poor start to the Premier League season.

Coventry finished 17th last season but this term have failed to repeat the performances which saw them beat Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup and thrash Blackburn 4-1 at Ewood Park in the FA Cup.

In 49 games in charge, Dowie won 20, lost 21 and drew 8.