Blackburn appoint Ismael as head coach

Blackburn Rovers have appointed Valerien Ismael as their new head coach on a deal until the end of the 2027-28 season.

The former Barnsley, West Brom and Watford boss replaces John Eustace, who left Rovers to take the Derby County job earlier this month.

Ismael, 49, led Barnsley to the Championship play-offs in his sole season at Oakwell and will look to do the same with Blackburn, who are sixth with 12 games to play.

"We were hugely impressed with Valerien throughout what was a rigorous recruitment process," chief executive Steve Waggott told the club website., external

"He knows the Championship extremely well and what it takes to finish in the play-offs.

"He has played and managed in some of the biggest environments across Europe, and has all the credentials to have a successful spell with us over the coming years."

Ismael's first game in charge will be at home to Norwich City - who are also challenging for a play-off spot - on Saturday.

His spells at West Brom and Watford were less successful than his time in South Yorkshire and he was sacked by the Hornets in March last year after a run of one win in 10 matches.

Following a playing career that included a spell in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, he moved into management with Hannover 96's reserves in 2011 and has also worked in Greece, Austria and Turkey.

Blackburn have spent the majority of the season in the top six and caretaker David Lowe won both of his first two games in charge.

However, Saturday's 3-0 defeat at fellow managerless side Swansea left them just one point clear of seventh-placed Coventry.

Should they secure a play-off place this season it will be their highest league finish since being relegated from the Premier League in 2011-12.

Ismael has previously worked with Rovers midfielder Callum Brittain and forward Cauley Woodrow when he was Barnsley boss and striker Emmanuel Dennis at Watford last season.