FIRST-team coach Dennis Rofe believes “outside factors” played a part in Paul Groves’s downfall as Cherries manager.

Rofe was asked to take charge of team affairs in the wake of the departure of Groves and assistant Shaun Brooks yesterday.

The 62-year-old, who was brought in by Groves in the summer, could be in charge for Cherries’ trip to Coventry on Saturday.

Speaking to the Daily Echo at today’s pre-match press conference, Rofe said: “It has been a sad week for the club. We are in a results-driven industry, which we are all aware of when we come into the game, but I would like to pay tribute to the work Paul and Shaun did.

“They had a difficult job from the start. Results have not been what we would have wanted and we realise that. But their job was made more difficult by one or two outside factors. They worked tirelessly for the club and I would like to thank them.

“In the early part of the season, there was a lot of hype and talk about the financial input. I think people need to park that a little. I think everybody was of the opinion that we would be in the top two but football is never that simple.

“Things take time to gel and, unfortunately, Paul and Shaun were not given that time. But I am certain some of the work they did will benefit this club in the long run.”

Asked by the Echo whether he had considered applying for the job, Rofe replied: “That hasn’t entered my head at the moment. The chairman phoned me yesterday with the sad news about Paul and Shaun and asked if I would be prepared to take training today.

“I said I would and would try to do my job as professionally as I have all my life. I have given absolutely no thought to that. It is not even on my horizon at the moment. I took training today and, if nobody rings me to tell me otherwise, I will take it again tomorrow. My brief is to go from day to day.”

Asked what the new manager would inherit, Rofe replied: “A good atmosphere and a nice stadium. It is a lovely place to work. I think he will inherit an honest bunch of players and, hopefully, he will benefit from players coming back from injury because that has been a crippling factor.

“I think the job will be a challenge, both on and off the pitch. But a new manager will come in and, hopefully, get this team up the league. Confidence, belief and winning games are all wonderful things. Once this ball starts rolling, it might take some stopping.”