Former Sunderland midfielder lands new coaching role with Championship promotion rivals

Dean Whitehead has been appointed as assistant head coach at Blackburn Rovers.

 

Dean Whitehead, a former midfielder for Sunderland, has secured a new position with Blackburn Rovers, a team that fights for promotion.

 

Whitehead has been appointed as the assistant head coach at Ewood Park, where he will rejoin Valérien Ismaël again.

 

Following John Eustace’s unexpected departure for Derby County, which is facing relegation, Ismaël was appointed as the new manager of Blackburn earlier this week.

 

Whitehead has previously collaborated with Ismaël at Watford and Besiktas. This weekend, Rovers will face Norwich City in a game that has significant implications for the sprint to the top six. The duo will assume responsibility for their inaugural match.

 

“Dean is an exceptional individual with whom I have previously collaborated at Watford and Beşiktaş,” stated the new Head Coach.

 

“His background is in football.” He is a former athlete who has a significant career and possesses a wealth of experience.

 

“He is an individual who comprehends the culture and the underlying principles of each club.”

 

He knows English football flawlessly, he knows the individuals, he has excellent connections and his expertise is very essential to me.”

 

Whitehead won two promotions with Sunderland in a five-year tenure at the club, and will return to the Stadium of Light with Blackburn in late April.

 

He has now a very accomplished coach at second-tier level, having also had stints at Cardiff and Stoke City.