Blackburn Rovers

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Blackburn Rovers head coach Valerien Ismael spoke to BBC Radio Lancashire after his side was beaten 2-1 at Derby County.

"I think the players are really disappointed about the result, they wanted it and maybe too much," he said.

"We lost the game in the first seven minutes. We knew exactly what we would face, everything was set and I think that the first seven minutes was very difficult to manage.

"We had an injury (to Augustus Kargbo) and after that we changed the shape. It was much better, we had more control and had great chances, with Yuki to come back into the game earlier, and the goal from Pape [Gueye] after that gave us that momentum for the second half

"But the second half we were under control, it is clear, but Derby for sure played the game to waste time, to slow down the process, which is normal.

"But we were not very dangerous and I expected more crosses, more penetration, more shots on target and that is something we need to work on and learn from to do better next time."

Andy Bayes
Sports Editor, BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Rex Features

With 11 games remaining and fans dreaming of a further three, the prospect of losing your leading scorer for all of them is a sizeable blow.

Andi Weimann has proved to be one of Blackburn Rovers' key signings of last summer. He turned 33 just as the season started and had spent most of the close season as a free agent.

Nine goals later (in all competitions), without playing in the traditional number nine role, he's made a firm case for a new deal.

His final touch of the season was to head home a very late leveller against Norwich last week.

He had already picked up his season-ending knee injury at that point.

Another one to remember was his spectacular goal in September at Burnley, which is highly likely to land him the goal of the season award.

He might not have the lightning pace from earlier in his career, but it's that knack of being in the right place at the right time that can't really be coached that will be missed in the run-in.

Whether he was a starter or a substitute, you felt that a chance might fall to him at some point just due to his football intelligence.

Head coach Valerien Ismael has been telling me what a blow it is to lose the Austrian, but he was quick to point at the options at his disposal.

Ismael is backing deadline day signings Emmanuel Dennis and Cauley Woodrow to make an impact on the team that hasn't happened so far.

He's worked with both of them before and feels that he can get the best out of them.

Dennis will miss the visit to Derby this weekend as he serves a one-match ban following a sending off against Norwich last time out.

Ismael feels that the front man who is on loan from Nottingham Forest has a lot to prove in the coming weeks.

"Maybe next time he will learn that when you get the first yellow card, you should be more careful in the dual for the second one," Ismael said.

"I've found since I came that Dennis looks sharper than when I saw him last year at Watford. More focused, really sharp in shape, positive. It's only one game (the suspension), and three days later we have another game, so he will be back.

"At some point he has a point to prove. Every year you are on loan here, on loan there, and at some point you just want to settle and find your home."

Woodrow finds himself in a similar position. You have to go back to 2020-21, when Ismael managed him at Barnsley, that he featured in more than 30 league matches in a season.

He's made a total of eight starts in the league for Luton in two and a half seasons.

Ismael feels that Woodrow can slot into the role that Weimann has vacated.

"He knows the way to goal, he knows the game, he is fit, so at some point he will get his chance to come back," he said.

"It's easy when you know the player and his quality, and I've spoken with him already. He knows himself that he wants to prove something. I know that he is able to help the team. It's just a question of timing now and as soon as it comes, we expect him to take his chance."

The absence of Weimann certainly presents an opportunity, and Woodrow, Dennis and the returning Yuki Ohashi will be keen to prove their worth from now on in.

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn Rovers forward Andreas Weimann will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury.

The Austria international came off the bench to score Rovers' injury-time equaliser against Norwich in the Championship last weekend but head coach Valerien Ismael has revealed that will be his final contribution of the campaign.

"He had a scan and it's bad news for him and us because his late goal gave us a great feeling but unfortunately now he will be out for the rest of the season," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He played on until the end but after the game he complained about his knee which was swollen and he was limping as well - it is a meniscus tear and he now has the decision how to deal with the injury."

Weimann has made 34 appearances in all competitions for Blackburn this season, scoring nine goals.

Rovers will also be without forward Emmanuel Dennis for this weekend's game at Derby as he serves a suspension after being sent-off against Norwich.

Derby County boss John Eustace welcomes some familiar faces to Pride Park on Saturday as they host his former side Blackburn Rovers.

Eustace departed promotion-chasing Rovers in February to take helm of the Rams as they look to escape relegation.

But Derby have yet to claim any points under their new boss and he'll be hoping to pick up his first against a side he knows all too well.

• Derby County have lost each of their last five league games against Blackburn Rovers, conceding exactly three goals on average per defeat.

• Blackburn Rovers have won their last two away league games against Derby County, as many wins as across their prior 12 visits to face the Midlands outfit (D4 L6).

• Derby County have lost 10 of their last 12 Championship matches (D2) and are the only side in the division without a victory in 2025 (D2 L9).

• Blackburn manager Valerien Ismael has faced Derby four times previously, beating them in his first game against them in November 2020 with Barnsley but he's since gone three in a row without seeing his side score a goal against the Rams (D2 L1).

• John Eustace has lost all three of his Championship matches as Derby manager so far, having joined from Blackburn in February. No Rams manager has ever lost each of his first four league games in charge.

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn Rovers head coach Valerien Ismael was full of praise for his side's spirit and battling qualities after Andi Weimann's 96th-minute header earned a point against fellow play-off hopefuls Norwich City.

The Canaries looked to have snatched victory when Ante Crnac scored in the final minute, very soon after Rovers had been reduced to 10 men when Emmanuel Dennis was sent off - only for Weimann to add to the late drama at Ewood Park.

"It was a tough game for us with a strong opponent," Ismael said.

"I think until the red card, it was really good and we were on top and had the momentum. But the red card changed everything - it's a new game. After that it was tough for the players to concede the goal.

"But they showed again a great mentality. I think the season [has shown] a really good, honest, hard-working group to believe in themselves and to make sure we give everything. As I say, a no-regret attitude and they made it today.

"We deserved a point but it feels like more a win because the boost and the mentality [of] the players showed me they are ready to compete for the play-offs. We have to keep that going."

Andy Bayes
Sports Editor, BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Rex Features

Rightly or wrongly, first impressions are really important to me.

In 26 years in the industry, I've lost count of how many new managers or head coaches I've been privileged to speak to.

The first meeting is generally a pooled interview or press conference, and it's only when things get to a week or so in, that faces become familiar and a level of trust can hopefully be established.

As the BBC local reporter, it's about treading that fine line of being respectful always but getting as much information as you can that the supporters are chatting about at the match, in the pubs, and online.

The role has certainly evolved over my time at BBC Radio Lancashire. Valerien Ismael is the 17th different man that I've stuck a microphone in front of at Blackburn Rovers alone.

In the main, a new man has been brought in because something has gone wrong. This certainly isn't the case with this one.

Ismael inherits a team that is in the top six ahead of his first match. He told me that the majority of clubs across Europe that he's spoken to over the last year have been battling at the wrong end of the table, and only this opportunity felt right.

Ismael is an imposing figure, a tall man with a presence. He seemed completely at ease with every question coming his way. He immaculately answered them all in fluent English.

The main takeaway from our conversation was that the interview process worked both ways. He answered the questions the powers that be had for him, and then it was his turn to ask the questions to make sure that this opportunity would work for him.

He felt there were 'no grey areas' in terms of the job description and was happy to take it.

He views the role as both short and long-term. His deal is for three-and-a-half years, and he told me, "The idea is simple. To create an identity, a way to play, and to create a pathway for young players."

That identity will wait for now - 12 games left of a season with half of the squad either out of contract in the summer or returning to their parent clubs isn't the time to put a big stamp on things.

"With 12 games remaining, it's just to support the players and not to touch too much," he said. "The players have done well so far. I'm just here to support and to observe."

Those observations will be key with how the club moves forward next season, regardless of the division they find themselves in.

"The other hand is the vision for the summer," Ismael added. "Prepare for the windows and be prepared to assess which players will be able to continue with us from the academy.

"I see this as a chance to pick the right players we need for the team. For sure it's a lot of work to do, but I see this as a great opportunity."

I was left with no doubt that Ismael's key principles are not optional for his players to adhere to. He'll be as clear with them as he was with me.

"I have my principles on the pitch, and I have my rules: respect, discipline, commitment and hard work. My rules as a player, as a human being and as a head coach. I try to stick to my rules because it's brought me success."

So my first impressions leave me with nothing but positive thoughts. A straight-talking man who knows what he wants. Someone who will concentrate on fine-tuning over the final 12 games but have an eye on the future too and what he wants it to look like.

As always, results are the only important thing in a managerial appointment. But relating to the fanbase is crucial too.

New Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael says he intends to stick to the principles which have brought him success elsewhere.

The Frenchman was appointed as John Eustace's replacement this week after the latter made the surprise decision to jump from a play-off challenge to a relegation battle with Derby a fortnight ago.

"I have my principles on the pitch, and I have my rules: respect, discipline, commitment, and hard work. They were my rules as a player, human being, and head coach," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I try to stick to my words because I know it brought me my success.

"Football is a bumpy road for a head coach but you have to stay true to yourself, stick to your principles but try to adapt and evolve."

Ismael's first game in charge of Blackburn is at home to Norwich City in the Championship on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

The former Barnsley and West Brom head coach has been out of football for nearly a year after leaving Watford last March but will take his time before making any major changes at Ewood Park.

"We have a short-term focus to support the players and not to touch too much because the players have done well so it means something is right at the minute," he added.

"But I have the division of the summer where I will prepare the windows and assess the players - I have to observe what type of players I have to do the job I want to do.

"I don't want to force anything, for the player to do the job they have to feel comfortable. How many players will be out of contract, how many will we need to take in - it's a massive job we have to do but we are ready."

The Valerien Ismael era begins at Ewood Park with a big match in the race for the Championship play-offs.

The 49-year-old Frenchman succeeded John Eustace at the Rovers helm this week and is pitted against a side four places, and four points behind sixth-placed Blackburn in his first game on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

Rovers have won three of their past four at home, while Johannes Hoff Thorup's Canaries have picked up four points from their past two on the road.

• Blackburn Rovers have lost just one of their past six league games against Norwich City (W2 D3), after losing six of their prior seven meetings with the Canaries between 2014 and 2020 (D1).

• Norwich City are unbeaten across their past six away league games against Blackburn Rovers (W5 D1), since a 2-0 defeat at Ewood Park in April 2012 in the Premier League.

• Blackburn drew three of their first six league games this season (W3), but have since drawn just three of their subsequent 28 in the Championship (W12 L13).

• Norwich have won just two of their past 13 away league games (D5 L6), scoring more than one goal in just two of those matches.

• Norwich's Josh Sargent has been involved in 13 goals in his last 12 starts in the Championship, scoring nine and assisting four.

Image source, Rex Features

Valerien Ismael's appointment as Blackburn Rovers boss "ticks a lot of boxes" even if it might be considered unambitious, according to BBC EFL pundit Jobi McAnuff.

The 49-year-old Frenchman guided Barnsley to the Championship play-offs in 2021 before leaving for West Bromwich Albion, where he began by winning four of his first five games as the Baggies went unbeaten in their opening 10 league fixtures.

However, he was sacked in January after 29 league games, winning one of his final seven matches in charge at The Hawthorns, and lasted little longer at Watford in the 2023-24 season, losing six of his final eight games to be sacked in March.

McAnuff told the BBC's 72+: EFL Podcast: "I'm not underwhelmed - purely from a Blackburn ownership and recruitment model.

"It's a manager who's out of work, so they're clearly not going to have to pay anything.

"It's somebody who knows the division, how well he's done in his last couple of gigs is probably the concern for Rovers fans, but I would caveat that and say he had a pretty good start at West Brom and then things really tailed off.

"We're talking about a short impact, between now and the end of the season. His remit is to try and get that team in the play-offs."

McAnuff said similarities between Ismael's direct playing style and that of predecessor John Eustace might ease the transition.

"You know what he's all about, I look at the style of football, I think that's another tick.

"It's not somebody who is going to come in and change things dramatically from what John Eustace was doing – it's a group of players that will understand roughly what he wants to do.

"It ticks a lot of boxes. Is it the most ambitious signing? No, but it makes sense. It fits within the framework of where Blackburn are right now."

Andy Bayes
Sports Editor, BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Blackburn Rovers

It's a fifth spell in English football for Valerien Ismael - his fourth as a head coach following his time as a Crystal Palace player more than 25 years ago.

He's been out of management for just under a year after a 40-match tenure at Watford came to end in March 2024 and inherits a Blackburn Rovers team that sits sixth with a dozen games to go.

The contract might be long-term (three years), but the short-term objective is clear - secure a play-off spot.

If Ismael achieves that, he will be first of the 10 appointments made under Venky's ownership to do so.

This is an appointment that at the start of February just wasn't on the radar. John Eustace was navigating a sticky spell in terms of results but all appeared calm. But as soon as Derby came calling, Rovers were powerless to keep him. The last couple of weeks have been all about finding the right man.

After more than 100 expressions of interest and the bookmakers favourite changing on a regular basis, a shortlist was drawn up.

CEO Steve Waggott working alongside chief operating officer Suhail Shaikh and head of football operations Rudy Gestede all tasked with whittling down the candidates in to a far more manageable number.

Initial phone conversations were followed by meetings held remotely before the face-to-face discussions took place to find the right man.

Ismael's experience of the second tier has undoubtedly helped his application. His role at Barnsley, albeit four years ago, could have swung the vote - 25 wins from 44 games and a very strong second half to the season secured a play-off spot where in the end they succumbed to Swansea.

The Frenchman would often make substitutions relatively early. He wasn't afraid to make a raft of them at half-time or certainly before the hour mark.

It's certainly something that Eustace introduced to his team this year, citing how it had gained the Tykes the edge over others in the play-off race in 2021.

His leading scorer in that play-off campaign was Cauley Woodrow, now with Blackburn. Another Rovers player, Callum Brittain was also part of that team, missing only six games all year.

Both will know what to expect going forward as will Emmanuel Dennis who played under Ismael at Watford last season.

The club where it didn't work out in England for him was West Bromwich Albion. A run of one win in eight was enough to see him leave in February 2022 with the Baggies unable to readjust to his methods and style of play. The feeling was that the football on show just didn't cut it.

A quick look at Ismael's CV shows that longevity is missing. A 50-match spell in charge of Austrian side LASK is his longest to date. Undoubtedly, he'd have gone well past that mark at Barnsley had he not left to join the Baggies, but nonetheless it is worthy of note.

The club statement mentions his core principles of respect, discipline, commitment and hard work. If he has the much talked about new manager bounce, it could be enough.

A dozen games to play, six at home and six away - whether the season extends beyond the final day visit to Sheffield United remains to be seen.

Andy Bayes
Sports Editor, BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn Rovers' search for a new head coach has reached the stage of face-to-face interviews, following on from phone and video calls.

It's hoped that an appointment will be made, if at all possible, before Rovers play Norwich at Ewood Park on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

Long-serving David Lowe has taken on the role of interim head coach, assisted by Damien Johnson, since the departure of John Eustace to Derby County.

They began with back-to-back 2-0 wins over West Bromwich Albion and Plymouth, however Rovers slipped to sixth in the Championship table after a 3-0 defeat at Swansea on Saturday.

More than 100 expressions of interest in the job have been considered by the Blackburn board before being whittled down to a more manageable number.

Former Watford, West Brom and Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael is the favourite with bookmakers ahead of former Huddersfield and Norwich coach David Wagner, while Gary O'Neil and Aitor Karanka have also been linked with the post.

Andy Bayes
Sports Editor, BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Rex Features

The wait for a head coach goes on at Blackburn Rovers.

It's been two weeks since John Eustace first heard of Derby's interest to take him from Ewood Park to Pride Park and well over a week since he said his goodbyes in Lancashire and joined the Rams.

His departure could have set the players back. It hasn't. The togetherness that Eustace so often preached has never been so evident.

Back-to-back 2-0 victories have been both convincing and comprehensive. A defence with one clean sheet in eleven league games prior to Eustace leaving hasn't really looked like being breached by either West Bromwich Albion or Plymouth Arygle.

Long-serving David Lowe has taken on the role of interim head coach, ably assisted by Damien Johnson and things appear to be calm. There is a harmony between the coaching staff, the playing staff and the supporters and a dressing room that is largely managing itself.

It's the classic Catch-22 situation that the powers-that-be find themselves in ahead of Lowe's third match in charge.

If he wins, the clamour will understandably be to leave things as they are. A defeat and the necessity for a new boss before the home match against Norwich on 1 March will go into overdrive.

Edging closer to Ewood appointment

More than 100 expressions of interest in the job have been considered and whittled down to a more manageable number. Formal interviews have taken place in the capital and it appears that it's only a matter of time until an appointment is made.

The last time that a managerial change took place, in February 2024, a departure and an appointment were announced in the same hour.

Rovers' Premier League title winning midfielder Mark Atkins believes that a great deal of care must be taken of who comes next.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "If you think you've got the right man then bring him in straight away. It's so important that they get the right man for these players. If they haven't, then don't rush it.

"Don't bring someone in for the sake of it, bring them in on their name. This is the perfect time for someone to come in and get them in the play-offs."

Whoever takes on the role is inheriting a squad that have taken the division by surprise. If an appointment is made imminently, they'll inherit a team in the play-off places and be in with a shout.

It's been suggested that the players have over-achieved to this point. Nobody has more than half a dozen league goals to their name. The burden has been shared since the departure of Sam Szmodics to Ipswich in August.

But, a flick through the goals catalogue from this season will show you that some of the football they're playing has been terrific.

Rovers' results with captain Lewis Travis in the team have shown his importance. Despite missing eight league games through injury, he's missed only two of the victories. Without their skipper, they are simply not the same. If they are victorious at Swansea, what happens next will be very interesting.

A game of two managerless sides.

Swansea will have interim head coach Alan Sheehan in caretaker charge for the visit of Blackburn after head coach Luke Williams left the club on Monday.

Last Saturday's 3-1 defeat against fellow strugglers Stoke City was Williams' final game in charge after 13 months with the Swans. The defeat means the Swans are a run of seven defeats in their past nine Championship matches.

The Welsh club say that their search for a new boss is "under way" with the club 17th in the table and eight points clear of the bottom three with 13 fixtures remaining this season.

Different perspective from a Blackburn Rovers point of view as interim boss David Lowe has picked up two wins from his opening two matches at the helm since John Eustace's departure to Derby County.

Rovers are fifth in the Championship after their 2-0 home win over Plymouth with midfielder Adam Forshaw getting on the scoresheet for the first time in nearly nine years.

• Swansea City have won two of their last three league games against Blackburn Rovers (L1), as many as across their prior nine meetings with the Lancashire side combined (D4 L3).

• Blackburn Rovers have won just one of their last seven away league games against Swansea City (D1 L5), scoring more than one goal in just one of those matches.

• Swansea City lost six of their final seven league games under former manager Luke Williams, including the last three in a row at Liberty Stadium. The Swans last suffered four in a row in January/February 2024, which were there first four at home under Williams.

• Blackburn Rovers have won their two league games since John Eustace's departure, having won just two of their last 11 under their former boss (D2 L7).

• Tyrhys Dolan has been involved in four goals in his last four Championship appearances for Blackburn (2 goals, 2 assists), as many as in his previous 26 games combined (1 goal, 3 assists).

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn Rovers captain Lewis Travis has said he was "very close" to John Eustace before his ex-boss left for Derby County last week.

The 27-year-old would not be pushed to answer whether he was surprised Eustace left fifth-placed Rovers for fourth-bottom Derby, but did state he had a very healthy relationship with him during their year together at Ewood Park.

"I was very close to him, so it is hard to see a gaffer you're so close to leave," Travis told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"The gaffer didn't leave us in a bad position. Obviously, when he arrived we were down near the bottom and now we're in the top five".

Since Eustace left for Pride Park, Rovers have won both their matches under interim boss David Lowe, and Travis was quick to praise the club's new-look managerial set-up.

"He's [Lowe's] been driving things, he's been really good, and even [first-team technical coach and head of player development] Damien Johnson alongside him is tactically a really good football coach," Travis added.

Image source, Getty Images

Blackburn Rovers interim boss David Lowe has said he is enjoying his time in temporary charge of the club.

The 59-year-old took over as caretaker manager following John Eustace's departure to Derby County and has picked up two wins from his opening two matches at the helm.

"I've been surrounded by some fantastic people, fantastic players and my family's been very supportive so I've really enjoyed it," Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire.

It's over 16 years since Lowe was last a caretaker boss - his one-match spell as Derby interim boss saw the Rams beat Manchester United 1-0 in the League Cup semi-final first-leg in January 2009.

And Lowe has been impressed by his current squad's efforts so far as they attempt to hold on to a place in the Championship play-offs.

"They've all respected the staff that have come in to help them out and they've been a credit to the profession. I've got nothing but respect for them," he said.

Lowe also confirmed that central defender Danny Batth remains unavailable for Rovers' trip to Swansea City on Saturday with a hamstring injury.