Blackburn Rovers could make decision on new manager this weekend with two names now in contention

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EFL Analysis understands that Blackburn Rovers are nearly ready to name their new manager, with a decision possibly coming by the weekend.

It’s been a busy week in the Championship; so much so that most neutrals have forgotten that Blackburn Rovers are still picking up the pieces after John Eustace’s shock departure for Derby County.

Eustace has lots to do at Derby if he wants to avoid relegation, but things have actually been going fairly well at Blackburn since his exit.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
3	BurnleyBurnley	33	17	14	2	39	9	30	65
4	SunderlandSunderland	33	17	11	5	50	30	20	62
5	BlackburnBlackburn	33	15	6	12	39	31	8	51
6	West BromWest Brom	33	11	15	7	42	31	11	48
7	CoventryCoventry	33	13	8	12	44	41	3	47

The Lancashire club are still in the play-off places after back-to-back wins under caretaker manager David Lowe, registering 2-0 victories over West Brom and Plymouth Argyle.

Now, in an EFL Analysis exclusive, we can reveal that Blackburn may have moved a step closer to making a managerial decision.

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One good result could seal the deal for David Lowe at Blackburn Rovers

We spoke to EFL Analysis expert Graeme Bailey about the situation at Ewood Park, and he told us that this weekend’s game against Swansea City will be key to the decision the hierarchy make regarding their next manager.

Bailey said: “They are assessing… however, I am told that if Blackburn play well and/or win at the weekend then there is a good to realistic chance that David Lowe could get the job until the end of the season at least.”

Lowe has been assistant manager at Blackburn since 2017, and was head of academy coaching there prior to that from 2011 onwards.

With the club going through a turbulent time right now, there’s every chance that the owners will look for some much-needed stability, and Lowe could offer exactly that.

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Valerian Ismael is also a ‘possible’ candidate for Blackburn

Lowe is not the only man in the frame for the top job, though. According to Alan Nixon, Rovers are also looking at former West Brom and Watford manager, Valerian Ismael.

The Frenchman is ‘a possible’ candidate for the vacancy at Blackburn, and the fact he has previously worked with a number of the players at the club — Callum Brittain, Cauley Woodrow, and Emmanuel Dennis — could work in his favour.

Ismael has been out of work since he left Watford in March almost a year ago. He is still yet to complete a full season in English football.

With Swansea themselves looking for a new manager, this weekend’s game between the two teams will be a fascinating one.

There are many that would probably like to see Lowe given the chance to steer the ship for the immediate future before a more long-term plan is put in place this summer.