Blackburn now considering ditching Ismael as ex-MLS manager option emerges
da pixbet： Following a disastrous start to life at Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers are reportedly already considering sacking Valerien Ismael and could yet hire a former MLS manager in his place.
Ismael already under pressure at Blackburn
da apostebet： Coming in to replace John Eustace, who completed a shock move to Derby County, many would have been hoping for Ismael to pick up where the man he replaced left off. That has proved to be anything but the case, however. Since arriving, the former Watford manager has won once in eight games, which has seen Blackburn fall from play-off hopefuls to mid-table obscurity in the Championship.
Valerien Ismael at Blackburn Rovers
Date
Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Norwich City
01/03/2025
Derby County 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
08/03/2025
Stoke City 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
12/03/2025
Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Cardiff City
15/03/2025
Portsmouth 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
29/03/2025
Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Middlesbrough
04/04/2025
Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday
08/04/2025
Luton Town 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
12/04/2025
After finally picking up the first win of his reign last time out, Ismael will be desperate to see his side kick on and finish the season strongly in the remaining four games.
The Blackburn boss told reporters after defeating Luton: “Congrats for the boys. Until the red card it was the gameplan we expected. In the first half we wanted to be really strong as we knew we had to face the challenge with a team who are fighting to survive.
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“They put a lot of balls in the box so you have to defend and show togetherness and we made it perfectly. In the transition we didn’t play well. We wanted to get more in behind but the main focus was to stay strong. That was the first step and the second one was to get behind them and we made it perfectly with the goal we scored.”
Even after that long-awaited victory, however, Blackburn may already be running out of patience and could reportedly turn towards a fresh candidate.
Blackburn considering Wayne Rooney
According to talkSPORT, Blackburn will now consider hiring Wayne Rooney if they decide to sack Ismael in the coming weeks, offering the former MLS manager a much-needed lifeline in the process. The Manchester United legend has endured a nightmare spell in the technical area in recent times, with his stint at Plymouth Argyle the last in a growing list of failed moves.
There’s no doubt that Blackburn would be taking a major risk. As disappointing as Ismael has been, it could be argued that he needs a full summer in charge before those at Ewood Park deliver their full judegment.
Blackburn must act with caution and not fall down the path that Birmingham City once followed by hiring Rooney. The Blues were play-off hopefuls under Eustace, but decided to welcome the Premier League icon nonetheless.
That same campaign they soon sacked their new manager and relegation followed. Blackburn, at all costs, should avoid taking the same risk.