DEREK Shaw has made a shock departure as Blackburn Rovers’ managing director.

The club released a statement shortly before 8pm yesterday confirming the 58-year-old had left his position with immediate effect.

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It also stated that Shaw, who is a director of Ribble Valley Shelving, ‘found the two roles too time-consuming and difficult going forward’.

But staff at Ewood Park were given no indication it would prove to be the former Preston North End chairman’s final day in situ.

Shaw left the office late in the afternoon after sitting in on a meeting with Rovers supporters and gave colleagues no reason to believe he would not be returning to work tomorrow.

But later in the evening a Rovers statement read: “Blackburn Rovers can confirm that managing director Derek Shaw has left the club with immediate effect.

“Due to ongoing other business interests Mr Shaw has found combining the two roles too time-consuming and difficult going forward.

“The club wishes Mr Shaw all the best for the future.”

Shaw took over as Rovers’ managing director in June 2012.

Less than a year later he was told to stay away from the club while an investigation was carried out into the compensation owed to former manager Henning Berg.

Shaw, who remained in the job, was unavailable for comment tonight.

Rovers would not add to what was said in the statement when asked if a replacement had been lined-up.