Writing for http://www.guardian.co.uk just before the sacking was announced, David Bevan had rather presciently declared: 'Their fans will never forget the night they went to Liverpool and became heroes for their work over 120 minutes and beyond. The Cobblers need to start playing for more than 45 minutes if he (Sampson) is ever to add anything of note to match that amazing achievement.'
Chairman David Cardoza, in a statement on the club website, announced the sacking thus: "The club must always come first but that doesn't make this decision any easier.
"I, my fellow Directors, the staff and supporters all wanted Ian to succeed.
"I really hoped Ian would prove a successful manager here, but I did not see enough signs that we were improving as a side."
Former Cobblers boss Ian Atkins felt that Sampson, in common with many lower league managers, had a 'thankless' task given the short-termism and financial constraints that exist in the game today.
The Racing Post meanwhile (http://www.racingpost.com) report that Gary Johnson is the 3/1 favourite to become the new man in charge, followed in the betting by ex-Brentford boss Andy Scott.