SACKED Bury boss Kevin Blackwell believes he has left the struggling club in a better place than he found them, despite overseeing their relegation from League One.

The former Leeds and Sheffield United manager had his contract terminated yesterday following a run of seven matches without a win that culminated in a 2-0 defeat at home to Morecambe on Saturday.

That poor run of results, with just two league victories from 11 matches so far this season, has left the Shakers a point and two places above the Football League trapdoor.

But Blackwell said the club’s decision still came as a “complete shock”, just 10 weeks into the campaign and following a massive squad overhaul that has seen him sign 26 players and ship out all but two of last season’s squad.

“I had no inkling at all,” he said. “I was just called into the office in the morning and that was it.

“Obviously it is disappointing and I still don’t know the reason, but it is their decision and I wish Bury Football Club well.

“There are a lot of good people there and I like to think that, with the new gym, a new scouting structure and developments in IT that I have left a lasting legacy the club will benefit from in years to come.”

Blackwell replaced caretaker boss Peter Shirtliff on September 26 last year, nine games into the season and with Bury still searching for their first win in League One.

They eventually finished third from bottom in an ill-fated campaign blighted by financial problems.

And the 54-year-old coach admitted he was ready to walk away before new chairman Stewart Day saved the club from a winding-up order in May.

“I knew nothing of the financial problems when I first took the job and I have to admit it has been a very interesting 12 months,” said Blackwell.

“It feels like it has been a struggle from start to finish, but you live and learn from your experiences.”

Blackwell’s record of just 14 wins from 57 games in charge triggered a fans’ campaign to oust him, which was backed by former player Mark Hughes.

The 26-year-old centre-back, who was released by Blackwell in the summer and captained Morecambe to victory at Gigg Lane on Saturday, expressed delight at the prospect of helping to get his former boss the sack.

“He didn’t believe in me,” said Hughes after the match.

“He was playing me but at the same time he’d be telling the press we weren’t good enough, which was pretty hard to take.

"Bury are a good club and I hope things work out for them, but hopefully it will be his last game.”