The Rovers legend is line to replace Steve Kean, as the pressure on the unpopular manager reaches breaking point. Would he leave a comfortable position at Tottenham Hotspur for them?
Blackburn may have started the season well on the pitch, but backroom problems persist at the club with the Director of Football Shebby Singh releasing further quotes that call into question his manager’s position.
Kean’s relationship with the fans, which was terrible enough in the Premiership, has managed to deteriorate further in the Championship with the fans chanting for his exit during matches.
More worrying for the club is that attendances have dropped 40 per cent since their relegation, and that their current match day revenues are not enough to sustain the club’s wages, especially considering they have brought in a raft of new stars over the summer.
The rumours today are that Blackburn, like many clubs have done in their position, are looking to turn to a former hero to steer them out of trouble. Tim Sherwood, the current assistant first team coach at Tottenham, was the Lancashire club’s captain when they won the Premier League in 1995, and has been impressive in his role at Spurs both under Harry Redknapp and the new regime.
Indeed Sherwood was one of the coaches who survived the backroom shuffle when Villas-Boas took over. He may be looking for a higher challenge now though, having served as a coach since 2008, and he is unlikely to get this chance in the near future at Spurs. Blackburn would be an excellent opportunity for his first managerial role, for all their problems Blackburn are in a good position to achieve promotion this year.
Sherwood may also be able to bring the fans back onside quickly, which is clearly something the owners are keen to do, having alienated them with their trenchant support for Steve Kean, even as he took the club down a division. If they are looking to build a project at the club, attendances are clearly a vital part of a sustainable revenue stream.
As there have been difficulties in finalising his exit, Kean could stay in charge now at least for the weekend, but whatever the result away at Charlton on Saturday, you would expect that he won’t be in the role much longer. Tim Sherwood, having paid his dues as a coach at Tottenham, could be in a managerial role as early as next week.
image: © joncandy
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