Still looking to replace John Eustace, who controversially chose to take the Derby County job, Blackburn Rovers are reportedly set to hold talks with a former Premier League manager this week.
Blackburn seeking Eustace replacement
Whilst Eustace was suffering a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Queens Park Rangers on his Derby debut, Blackburn were rubbing salt in his wounds by simply picking up where they left off – securing a 2-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle.
The credit for that result deserves to go the way of David Lowe, who has stepped up to take interim charge and continued Blackburn’s push to finish inside the Championship‘s top six.
Whilst it’s certainly not a case of no Eustace no party for Blackburn, they’re still in need of a replacement and that search has already seen various names mentioned, including Lowe’s.
The interim boss has undeniably made a solid first impression and may well be considered a candidate should those at Ewood Park fail to land a former Premier League manager.
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Blackburn could be close to finding a replacement for John Eustace.
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn are now set to hold talks with Gary O’Neil this week. The manager was sacked by Wolverhampton Wanderers back in December and has been out of work ever since, perhaps leaving the door ajar for a Championship move.
Going from Eustace to O’Neil would certainly be quite the move. The former Wolves and Bournemouth boss is a manager of Premier League quality and guided those in the Midlands into the top half at his best. Now, by stepping down to the Championship, he could take a historic club back to the top flight at long last.
In a crucial week for their managerial search, Blackburn should go all out to secure O’Neil’s signature.
“Great” O’Neil would be impressive coup
By appointing O’Neil, not only would Blackburn be taking a key step towards promotion but they’d also be preparing for life in the Premier League. The former Portsmouth player kept Bournemouth up when not many, if any expected him to do so then took Wolves back into the top half before ultimately struggling in the current campaign amid a lack of reinforcements and a frustrating list of injury concerns.
Previously praised by Jamie Carragher for the “great” job he did at Bournemouth, O’Neil could arrive at a Blackburn side ready to earn a place in the play-offs. Sat as high as fifth and inside the top six by four points, those in Lancashire have 13 games to keep hold of their place and grab their chance to eventually set a date at Wembley come May.
It won’t be a routine job and following Eustace will take some doing, but a former Premier League manager should be more than capable of creating history. Blackburn belong in the Premier League and many will say the same for O’Neil to create a match made in heaven as talks commence this week.
