Why NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe is not surprised by the sacking of Saints' coach Dennis Allen

The New Orleans Saints have parted ways with head coach Dennis Allen, a move that NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe says was expected given the team's struggles this season.

Saints owner Gayle Benson confirmed Allen's dismissal on Monday, November 4, in a statement through NFL Network, marking the end of Allen's turbulent tenure with the team.

Allen's fate seemed increasingly uncertain as he steered the Saints through a difficult stretch, with a streak of seven consecutive losses ultimately proving too damaging to ignore.

The Saints’ latest, narrow 22-23 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday appeared to seal his fate, leaving the side languishing at the bottom of the NFC South standings.

Sharpe, speaking on ESPN, was candid about the inevitability of Allen's departure.

"I'm not surprised at all considering he had lost seven straight ball games and then he loses to what is thought of as the worst team in the NFL, the Carolina Panthers," Sharpe commented.

"I don't know how he was going to survive that. I don't advocate anybody losing a job because I know what it's like to be let go from a situation, but there's an expectation that the Saints had, and expectations weren't met."

Allen’s track record as head coach has been less than stellar.

In his two-and-a-half seasons with the Saints, he posted an 18-25 record and failed to secure a playoff berth.

The former Oakland Raiders head coach had joined the Saints with hopes of leading them back to prominence, but inconsistent performance and lackluster results dashed those expectations.

In the wake of Allen’s departure, the Saints have appointed special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi as the interim head coach.