It is now been 11 days since Blackburn Rovers took the choice to sack Valentin Ismael, with the Riversides having not received a single recreation in eight matches.
Since he was given the boot, Rovers beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 with caretaker supervisor David Lowe on the helm, however his aspect did then endure a 2-0 defeat to Norwich, placing them in additional trouble in direction of the underside of the Championship.
No matter occurs, they want a fast answer, with it wanting as if Lowe might be within the hotseat for a 3rd recreation in a row once they journey to Queens Park Rangers on Valentine’s Day.
The most recent on Blackburn’s hunt for a brand new supervisor
This has already been a drawn-out course of and it will seem {that a} swift decision isn’t forthcoming.
Certainly, Blackburn had been in talks with Gary Rowett about changing into their supervisor and had been reportedly in talks to take action. They had been even planning to supply him the job.
Nonetheless, earlier this week, that transfer fell by means of, leaving Rovers having to seek for an alternate. They could nicely have discovered one within the form of Michael O’Neill who has emerged as a candidate for the job. He has been the supervisor of Northern Eire since 2022 the place he’s having fun with his second stint in command of the nationwide staff. He was beforehand at Stoke Metropolis so boasts expertise of EFL life.
An alternative choice may nicely be Lee Johnson. That is in accordance with journalist Pete O’Rourke who revealed on social media that he’s ‘on the radar’ of loads of EFL groups who’re searching for a brand new supervisor both now or in the summertime.
Johnson is at the moment teaching in Europe, the place he’s the boss of Lommel SK within the second tier of Belgian soccer.
Why Johnson can be appointment for Blackburn
It is secure to say that the 44-year-old’s inventory has fallen because the sensible job he did at Bristol Metropolis.
With the Robins, he established them as a robust Championship aspect, ending eleventh within the 2017/18 marketing campaign and as excessive as eighth in 2018/19, narrowly lacking out on a play-off spot.
But, he has needed to rebuild his profession after much less promising stints at Hibernian and Fleetwood City the place he received simply 26 of the 74 video games he took cost of.
Nonetheless, at Lommel SK, he has carried out a reasonably tremendous job with the Belgian outfit at the moment sitting in sixth place, having misplaced simply six of their 23 outings so far.
He is doing the same job there as he did with Bristol Metropolis and it will seem he is obtained his mojo again.
On the face of it, he will not be probably the most interesting or most enjoyable supervisor to herald however just like the aforementioned Rowett, he is obtained expertise of the EFL, managing 402 video games within the Championship and League One. He has additionally now been courageous sufficient to check himself overseas, the place he has little question learnt a terrific deal about his administration fashion.
Allow us to not overlook simply what Johnson achieved with Bristol Metropolis. Their league putting of eighth again in 2018/19 was their highest end within the soccer pyramid since Gary Johnson led his males to fourth again in 2007/08.
|
Lee Johnson supervisor profession |
|
|---|---|
|
Membership |
Win % |
|
Oldham Athletic |
35% |
|
Barnsley |
39.2% |
|
Bristol Metropolis |
38.7% |
|
Sunderland |
51.3% |
|
Hibernian |
38.5% |
|
Fleetwood City |
27.3% |
|
Lommel SK |
48.3% |
At Sunderland, whereas he did not engineer promotion success in League One, ending the 2020/21 marketing campaign in fourth and shedding within the play-offs, they did win the EFL Trophy at Wembley. Discounting their play-off wins in 2022 and 2025, that’s the solely trophy they’ve received since being topped Championship title winners in 2006/07.
So, he does have first rate pedigree and what may also curiosity these at Ewood Park is that he has really simply misplaced two of his seven matches with Rovers, successful on three events.
Primarily based on the above, they might do worse than turning their consideration to Johnson.
Blackburn Rovers now exploring deal for title-winning boss after Rowett talks stall
The Lancashire aspect have now obtained an alternative choice in thoughts.
