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Brad Friedel had a successful period at Blackburn Rovers after he joined from Liverpool in 2000.
The former American international joined the club in November 2000 after he was signed by his former Galatasaray manager, Graeme Souness, on a free transfer.
Friedel spent eight and a half years at Blackburn Rovers, and in that time he helped them to lift the League Cup in 2002 and to qualify for Europe while also being important to their impressive Premier League performances.
The American appeared to love his career at Blackburn; however, he felt he had to leave the club in July 2008 to join Aston Villa, with Friedel finally explaining what the reason behind that decision was.
Brad Friedel believed the club was becoming a selling club
The American goalkeeper understood that Blackburn did not have the purchasing power of other clubs in the Premier League during his time in Lancashire.
However, he always believed that once they sold a quality player, they would replace them, but that all changed when he understood that the club was looking to be sold, as he explained to ‘They Think It’s All Rovers’.
He said: “When I was leaving, it was not an easy decision at all.
“I had a long conversation with John Williams; I had a great relationship with him. I used to ask if we were a selling club, and what I meant was, if we sold Santa Cruz, David Bentley, etc, are we going to replace them?
“The answer was always yes. This time, it was completely different because we weren’t a selling club, we were selling THE club. When it was unknown who would be the owner and I had Aston Villa and Man City bidding, I had some decisions to make.
“I no longer had the comfort of the stability that board was providing. You’ve seen what’s happened to so many clubs; even a club like Liverpool nearly went into administration. You never know what will happen.
“I made sure the club got a transfer fee, which, for a 37-year-old, I don’t think many people get transfer fees. Hopefully, the fans can see why, and they understand it.
“Unfortunately, I was proved correct in seeing what was to come. I never hoped it or wished it; I hoped they stayed in the Premier League and still were, but there have been a lot of ups and downs since 2010.
“I hope one of these days, they can get back up.”
The downfall of Blackburn Rovers following the Venky’s takeover
Brad Friedel had been part of Blackburn Rovers during their most successful period following their Premier League-winning side in 1995.
The Lancashire outfit was a constant in the Premier League throughout the 2000s due to good management and an ability to spot talent that appeared to be unwanted by other clubs but had something to offer Blackburn Rovers.
This all changed in November 2010, when the ownership of the club transferred to the Venky’s upon their purchase.
Rovers would be relegated from the Premier League in 2012, only two seasons into their ownership, and they have yet to make a return to the division since.
Blackburn would end up in League One under the ownership of the Venky’s; however, they have had to endure several near misses of a return to the Premier League, with there being a belief that the club should have backed managers more financially to help them as they got close to promotion.