Blackburn Rovers are still looking for a new manager following John Eustace’s surprising departure to Derby County earlier this month.
Despite Blackburn’s position in the top six and Derby’s relegation zone, Eustace took the stunning choice to switch from Ewood Park to Pride Park, with a lack of board support considered to be a major factor in the 45-year-old’s departure.
David Lowe has been in charge of Rovers since Eustace’s departure, but after winning his first two games against West Bromwich Albion and Plymouth Argyle, his side lost 3-0 at Swansea City on Saturday.
Goals from Zan Vipotnik, Myles Peart-Harris, and Liam Cullen secured a well-deserved victory for the managerless Swans, and while Blackburn remain in the play-off spots, they are now only one point ahead of Coventry City in seventh place.
| Championship table (as it stands 24th February) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | Leeds United | 33 | 48 | 72 |
| 2 | Sheffield United | 33 | 24 | 70 |
| 3 | Burnley | 34 | 34 | 68 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 34 | 19 | 62 |
| 5 | West Brom | 34 | 13 | 51 |
| 6 | Blackburn Rovers | 34 | 5 | 51 |
| 7 | Coventry City | 34 | 4 | 50 |
| 8 | Bristol City | 34 | ||
The comprehensive defeat in South Wales appears to have hastened Rovers’ search for a new manager, and with two candidates still in the running, an appointment might be announced within the next 48 hours.
Valerien Ismael and David Wagner vying for Blackburn Rovers job
A number of names have been associated with the Blackburn position in recent weeks, including Aitor Karanka, Carlos Carvalhal, Raphael Wicky, Richie Wellens, George Boateng, Luis Boa Morte, and Pep Ljinders, but the picture is finally becoming clearer.
After Karanka was ruled out of the running last week, it was stated that the £600,000-per-year wage on offer at Ewood Park is not appealing to previous Premier League managers like as Gary O’Neil and Steve Cooper, despite the inclusion of bonuses.
Journalist Alan Nixon revealed on Sunday night that Rovers are now debating between former West Brom and Watford manager Valerien Ismael and former Norwich City head coach David Wagner, with an appointment expected imminently.
Ismael has been out of work since being fired by Watford in March, and he is regarded to be the front-runner for the post as things stand, whereas Wagner was fired by Norwich in May after taking the Canaries to the Championship play-offs last season.
With Wagner also apparently being considered by Scottish heavyweights Rangers as a potential long-term replacement for Philippe Clement, all indicators point to Ismael taking over at Ewood Park, which may concern Blackburn fans given his recent management record.
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