COLCHESTER United boss Paul Lambert has branded the recent sackings of Gary McAllister and Paul Ince as “terrible.”

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United boss Paul Lambert has branded the recent sackings of Gary McAllister and Paul Ince as “terrible.”

Lambert's own U's team put one of the final nails in McAllister's coffin, when the Essex club secured a deserved 2-1 win at Elland Road 10 days ago. Ex-Blackpool manager Simon Grayson, the brother of Essex County Cricket Club coach Paul, was appointed as McAllister's successor yesterday.

Leeds lost at league leaders MK Dons last weekend, to make it five defeats on the bounce, but it was the U's shock away success in Yorkshire that probably secured McAllister's fate.

The 43-year-old was sacked by Leeds last Sunday, just five days after fellow young manager Ince (41) was dismissed by Blackburn Rovers. Lambert did not agree with either decision.

“What's happened at Leeds with Gary (McAllister) is terrible in my opinion. It's horrific,” slammed Lambert.

“I know Gary very well from our days together in the Scotland team, and I also know Paul (Ince). It's ridiculous that they should lose their jobs.

“Gary got Leeds into the play-offs last season, and they are not far off that position (five points adrift) again this year. I'm sure that they would have bounced back, if Gary had been given some time.

“Expectations at Leeds are very high, but I think he should still be the manager. It was a big surprise and a big shock to me.

“It seems that as a football manager you get judged after just a couple of games. You're under pressure from then on. It was the same with (Paul) Ince at Blackburn. He was not given much time.

“I have a good relationship with both of them, and it's bizarre was has happened to them. I think it's really horrible,” added Lambert.

McAllister lasted just 11 months in the job at Leeds, while Ince was dismissed after less than six months at the helm at Ewood Park. He was replaced by Sam Allardyce.

Scotsman Lambert has enjoyed a good start to his Colchester managerial career, since he was appointed as Geraint Williams' successor in mid-October.

He has guided the U's out of the relegation zone and into 16th spot, five points clear of the bottom four, thanks to just one defeat in their last five league games.

The U's are away at fourth-from-bottom Brighton on Boxing Day (kick-off 3pm).