Top six favourites to become new Blackburn Rovers manager

The top six favourites to become new Blackburn Rovers manager has been revealed as the club target several League One managers.

Tony Mowbray says the Ewood Park outfit ‘have to get it right’ to address the growing number of positions that need filling after he confirmed that this weekend’s final game of the season at Birmingham City will be his last as their boss.

Blackburn currently sit 9th in the Championship table, unable to reach the playoffs, though it would be their highest finishing position in recent years.

More from #Blackburn #Rovers manager Tony Mowbray speaking in his post-match press conference

“What I think about is my family first. Having a holiday with my kids. Splashing around in the sea, playing football on a beach. Taking my wife for lovely dinners.#BBCEFL

— BBC Sport Lancashire (@BBCLancsSport) April 30, 2022

Head of recruitment John Park is also expected to leave with several key players also facing the axe.

“They have to get it right, because it’s a short summer, and they have a few positions to fill pretty quickly,” Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“Whether that starts next season, or tomorrow, I’m not sure.

“There’s things behind the scenes that need improving, in my opinion, at this club.

“How many people have we lost? It’s an amazing football club, and I see it as a compliment. The Head of medical (Andy Mitchell) went to Leipzig, another of the medical team (Ibrahim Kerem) went to run Manchester United’s women, and there’s a really important member of backroom staff leaving for Newcastle United next week.

“Our head of recruitment will probably be moving on as well, and hopefully they’re ready for that.”

He added: “Where will my next job be?

“I don’t know I think about my family first, a holiday, splashing around with kids in the sea, playing football on the beach and taking my wife for lovely dinners.

“Then, we will see if the phone rings and if they want a manager that cares about his team and grows people and tries to create a football team.”

The Athletic also report that Liam Mason, Blackburn Rovers’ head of athletic performance, is set to join Newcastle.

Right then, time to look at the top six favourites to become new Blackburn manager…

Daniel Farke – 2/1
Gareth Ainsworth – 5/2
Damien Johnson – 5/1
Michael Appleton – 8/1
Liam Manning – 12/1
Rob Edwards – 12/1

Other names listed include Roy Keane (12/1), Callum Davidson (16/1), Derek McInnes (16/1) and Lee Johnson (16/1)

Daniel Farke is reportedly interested in becoming the next Rovers manager with the hierarchy searching for Tony Mowbray’s successor.

The 45-year-old is available after he left Russian outfit Krasnodar earlier this year, and now it’s been revealed that the German coach is wanting on taking over, with Alan Nixon confirming Farke could be set for an interview for the vacancy in the coming weeks.

Gareth Ainsworth, who will manage Wycombe in the upcoming League One playoffs, is also said to be on Blackburn’s shortlist.

His attention will be firmly focused on getting the Chairboys back into the second tier, taking on MK Dons in the semi final before playing either Sheffield Wednesday or Sunderland if they make the final.

Nixon adds that Ainsworth would be interested in the job as he has always supported the club and played for their youth team, however he hasn’t yet had his say on the links but usually remains coy to job speculations.

Following his side’s 2-1 win at Burton, he did said: “I rang my dad after the game and that was really special for me.

“He’s been there right through and I’m getting a bit emotional now because he’s backed me as a player and a manager unbelievably.”

Ainsworth then added: “I’ll never forget the day I was released from Blackburn Rovers. It was on my 18th birthday.

“I remember holding it together in Don Mackay’s office as best I could, walking out of the stadium into the road and breaking down in tears.

“My dad said to me the words I’ll never forget – ‘You’ll make it’. I’ll never forget that.

“To have something like that has been outstanding and I’ll do the same for my son.

“There’s more important things than football in the world and family’s one of them – that proved it.”

Twitter users reacted a the top six favourites to become new Blackburn Rovers manager is revealed…

@mjshorrock: There are currently some decent championship level managers out of work, which any decent championship level club looking for a manager would go all out to get. Then there’s #rovers

@waynebadders: All awful if that is the best we will get just offer Mowbray another contract but this is all we will get cause it’s what the venkys do #shitshow

@Mickcee9: Farke would be a great appointment and a step in the right direction but I just can’t see venkys getting him. Before they appointed Mowbray some of there manager choices where shocking. Hope they prove me wrong #Rovers

@WildRoverFPL: Absolute scenes if we get Farke! #Rovers

@jordanlmontague: Farke and Ainsworth joint favs! I’d have any of them #Rovers

@ChrisBRFC91: So if it is true that Farke is interested in the Rovers job he has to be our number one target 💯 he did an amazing job at Norwich and I think he’d work wonders with our squad and academy 🔵⚪ #Rovers

@DRGoulding: Christ, that’s an uninspiring list.

@_TomWelton: Gareth Ainsworth would definitely be my choice if it’s a possibility, great job at Wycombe and comes across really well seems like a good guy #Rovers

@Ewood_Blue_: Who ever takes over l just hope they get the right person in and back him with any transfer money we get and hopefully it’s soon as its no good leaving towards the start of the season and thank you tony mowbray for your 5 years roll on next season #Rovers 🔵⚪

@ben_talbot95: Wouldn’t mind Edwards, Woodgate or unsworth to take over at #Rovers. New manager needs to implement a playing philosophy that continues to bring through Academy players.

@Ian_Austin_: Whoever the manager is moving forward they need to sort out from the back… its been too long of the same old. Mowbray almost buried his head in the sand about or blamed the age of the team. The team he built. Fresh start. Again. #Rovers

@Javathehut2: Only one on it is Ainsworth.

@JordanDWilson: Uninspiring list of new manager options to say the least. Ainsworth the only one I’d be happy with. I’d stop supporting if Barton got it. #rovers

@Charlie25360033: If Michael Appleton gets the #Rovers job I don’t know what I’ll do. Why would we appoint him after what happened years ago

@ThrowingAPaddy: Jeesh worse than I was expecting 😬

@S27GDM: Of that list, Ainsworth for me. But there are other names I’d take ahead of him.

@HeyesJack: Jesus, need a barge pole for that lot

@tabsynick: Only one on here I would entertain is Ainsworth.

@DerekWa51216247: 😂😂 people happy Mowbray is going maybe now realising what the alternative is gunna be …….careful for what you wish for

@madness4charity: Does look like all the hard work Mowbray has done to help rebuild the relationship with the club, players and fans and the overall culture all seems to be being undone in epic style…hope I’m wrong

@slater3291: Ainsworth ✅

@Dansew96: Ainsworth all the way bring him home 🔵⚪️

@jamesgeesus: Unsworth and Carrick would be smart if they were thinking long term. Hughton, Farke could be a step up from Mowbray but would cost. Pressley, Monk, D. Johnson I’d be happy with. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lennon got the job though. He’s the type they’d fall for and bargain wages.

@MiddyMiddlehurs: Our club is run by clowns

@AidanGoudie: Would only take Ainsworth from that list

@Maccybburn: I really hope that we get this right. My gut feeling tells me that we should be sticking with Mowbray. I hope that I am wrong!

@matt_redders: This has been my issue with the “Mowbray Out” brigade all season…. maybe it is time for change but if that’s the list of names we are looking at to replace Mowbray then that’s a really sobering prospect. I really hope whoever we do get proves wrong

@BNK8519: Micheal carrick decent shout but so is – Hughes robins farke critchley Rooney warne