Championship club announces departure of manager as horror season takes turn for worse

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 02/02/2026

- 13:43

Valerien Ismael has been axed by Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers have parted company with manager Valerien Ismael, with the 50-year-old departing Ewood Park by mutual consent alongside assistant Dean Whitehead.

The Lancashire club confirmed both departures take immediate effect.


In an official statement, Rovers said: "Blackburn Rovers would like to thank Valérien and Dean for their efforts during their time at the club and wish them both the very best for the future."

The club added it would begin seeking a new head coach and would not comment further until an appointment is made.

Ismael's exit comes with Blackburn languishing in the Championship's bottom three, sitting three points from safety.

The departure follows a dramatic collapse in form that has seen Rovers go nine matches without victory, managing just a single win since November.

It marks a stark reversal from Ismael's promising start at the club, having joined last February and guided Blackburn to a seventh-place finish in his first campaign.

Blackburn Rovers have parted company with manager Valerien Ismael, with the 50-year-old departing Ewood Park by mutual consent alongside assistant Dean Whitehead

Blackburn Rovers have parted company with manager Valerien Ismael, with the 50-year-old departing Ewood Park by mutual consent alongside assistant Dean Whitehead

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PA

That near-miss saw Rovers fall just two points short of securing a Championship play-off berth.

However, this season has brought only struggle, with the team now facing genuine relegation danger rather than harbouring promotion ambitions.

The managerial upheaval unfolds against a backdrop of significant unrest among the Blackburn faithful.

Valerien Ismael

Valerien Ismael leaves Blackburn with the club at risk of falling into League One

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PA

Supporters have launched a boycott of home fixtures at Ewood Park in protest against the club's ownership.

The demonstration reflects deepening turmoil surrounding Rovers, with fans expressing their discontent through their absence from the stands.

The ownership dispute has added another layer of instability to an already troubled campaign, with the club battling both on-pitch struggles and off-pitch discord.

Whether a change in the dugout can help restore calm remains to be seen, but the relationship between supporters and those running the club appears increasingly fractured.

Slaven Bilic

Slaven Bilic could return to English football with Blackburn Rovers

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PA

Blackburn have now turned their attention to finding Ismael's successor, with former West Ham manager Slaven Bilic emerging as an early candidate for the role.

The 57-year-old Croatian brings Championship experience, having previously taken charge of West Brom, who currently find themselves among Rovers' rivals in the relegation battle.

Bilic has been without a club since departing Saudi Arabian side Al-Fateh in August 2024, where his tenure ended in dismissal.

Prior to that Middle Eastern stint, he was sacked by Watford just five months earlier. The experienced coach has not held a position in English football since his Hornets departure.