Phil Jones and Steven Davis speak on joining Blackburn and helping the club achieve survival

Phil Jones and Steven Davis speak on joining Blackburn Rovers and helping the club in their bid to achieve survival.

Former Rovers defender Phil Jones returns to Ewood Park as first-team coach under new manager Michael O’Neill. Steven Davis has joined as our new First Team Coach. They join Damien Johnson, who continues as first team technical coach & head of player development.

What a start it’s been, things immediately feeling different at the weekend when they won 3-1 away at Queens Park Rangers.

O’Neill praised his players’ desire, with the win seeing Rovers climbing out of the Championship bottom three. It was also their first away victory for the first time since November.

“It was a great result for us – this is a difficult place to come,” O’Neill said to BBC Radio Lancashire.

“The work was done by (caretaker manager) Damien Johnson, he prepared the team and picked the team and did a fantastic job. The credit really lies with him.

“We got a great response from the players and I thought the level of performance merited three points. Our reaction to going level was good and the desire was the biggest thing.

“It’s a positive step but we have to make sure we take another positive step next week against Preston.”

Phil Jones spoke via RoversTV on taking the role and returning back to his former club: “I’ve always had an eye for the coaching element.

“When I finished, it was quite abrupt. I didn’t expect it to happen so quick, with me having to retire, but as soon as that happened and as soon as I digested what happened, being on the grass and back involved with the lads and helping young players come through and develop, that’s been my passion since.

“I love being out on the grass. I love taking sessions, I love being involved, I love the analysis, I love the tactical side, the technical side. We’ve got a great team here now, Michael is an incredible manager with a vast amount of experience and knowledge and is IQ of the game is unquestionable.”

“We’ve got a big job. We’re under no illusions. But this is a wonderful football club to be at, I always said that when I was here and hopefully we can do the business.

“When I left, Blackburn Rovers was always a big part of my career and my life.

“I spent a lot of years in the Academy here and through the first team, so one I always envisaged I’d be back here. In what capacity, I never knew. It’s good to be back, but it’s really not about me.

“It’s about the team and the individuals, and collectively working together, and really having that unique bond to get results and get performances.”

Watch the rest of the interview below…

Steven Davis told RoversTV: “I’m really excited for the challenge ahead. Obviously since retiring I’ve been on a little bit of a coaching journey and working with the international team for the last 18 to 24 months which has been good.

“This is nice step in the right direction for me in terms of the experience that I’ll gain and I’m delighted to be here. We’ve had a close relationship.

“Obviously I was captain on the international team for many years and that relationship grew through that time and then after I retired from playing they offered me the opportunity to go in as part of the coaching staff and it’s been great to learn from him and his staff there and I’m sure I’ll take a look from the other staff here as well and be able to add to the group here and what it can bring to the players.

“So that’s an exciting challenge and one we’re looking forward to getting started in.”

Watch the rest of the interview below…

Here’s how fans reacted after Phil Jones and Steven Davis speak on joining Blackburn and helping the club achieve survival…

@mattieshaw97: Whole thing is brilliant, isn’t interested in the romantics of his return. Clubs in a bad way and we need results. Loved every minute of it, the kind of mentality we’ve been severely lacking for me.

@NHogg77: I for one am absolutely buzzing with this group, each interview was like a breath of fresh air steven sounds solid, O’Neil honest and Phil Jones is just fucking superman and sounds so passionate, come on boys 💙🤍

@JamesWilco82: Future Rovers manager this lad

@DannyDabber4595: Glad to have you back at Rovers Jonesy! 🫡

@RoversReaction: You almost forget amongst the nostalgia and good feeling of an ex player coming back the level of experience he will bring. Played with and worked under the best in the country. His mentality will be levels above anything we’ve had for a while 👏🏼 welcome back to #Rovers 💙🤍

@tomgrude79: So great to have you back at Our Beloved Rovers 🔵⚪👍

@mattieshaw97: What an interview with Phil Jones that is. That kind of mentality at this club has been severely lacking for a number of years #Rovers

@BRFC1875_: Phil Jones- played for the club and a local lad. Steven Davis- was a brilliant player for rangers and experienced. Damien Johnson- been here a while and played for us. These 3 will have these pathetic players fighting and won’t take shite like VI did. #rovers