[Archived] Steve Kean's Future Set To Be Discussed

[Ferrit]

Is it just me that doesn't believe any injury reports out of Rovers these days...?

No, it's everyone else with the intelligence to think for themselves.

[Bobby G]

A specialist has given the OK for Givet to play. Specialist mediator? Lawyer? What?

[RoyRover]

I just listened to The Guardian Football Podcast and they were laughing at Steve Kean and what awful manager he is. I've been so angry that I wrote this piece in response to it, to what other people have said about Rovers and to try and put some people straight about Mr Steven Kean.

'As satisfying as it has been over the past few days to see Steve Kean and Venky's finally come under the intense scrutiny and receive the sort of derision that they deserve, I'm afraid to say that is come far too late. It's a relief to hear the guys on the podcast confirming what I and others here have been saying for months - that Kean has been getting far too easy a ride in the press. Despite his abject record of 13 wins from 58 games,articles about Kean have had this theme of him being a 'fantastic manager, doing a great job with such dignity' running threw them, with Kean being portrayed as an innocent party in all that has gone on. This has been a ridiculous and insulting way to present a man, who is just as complaisant in the downfall of the club as the owners.

Relegation has been an inevitability for the past couple of months. The back to back wins and clean sheets (the first of both during Kean's reign in charge) against Sunderland and Norwich 2 months ago, which Kean used as scientific proof that we would stay up and push toward mid table, only served to prolong the agony and gave Kean more collateral to continue making the most deluded and self satisfied statements.

There have been some excellent articles written over the past couple of days about Rovers, Venky's and Kean. Paul Wilson's and David Conn's were very well observed. Jacob Steinberg wrote about how one of his biggest gripes of the season has been the treatment of the Blackburn fans by the press, who have far too readily focused all their attention of their protests and that the way that some people within the press have acted has been a disgrace. Here are some other good articles that people may like to read:

http://www.lifesapitch.co.uk/opinions/blackburn-fans-were-right-about-venkys-and-kean-all-along/

http://www.twohundredpercent.net/?p=18523

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/1065168/richard-jolly:-fowl-day-of-damnation-for-rovers?cc=5739#

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9239025/Blackburn-Rovers-relegated-from-Premier-League-as-Antolin-Alcaraz-scores-only-goal-in-Wigans-great-escape.html

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/9696604.Where_did_it_all_go_wrong_for_Rovers_/

http://stateofthegame.co.uk/2012/05/10/is-it-the-why-of/

http://notbottomline.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/are-venkys-past-point-of-no-return-with-blackburn-rovers-fans/

While it is heartening to read, it begs the question why have people only now woken up to the crisis at Rovers? People have acknowledged that the owners are out of their depth, but Steve Kean has up until now been almost completely immune from any type of criticism. The 'revelations' that people have been writing about are what the fans have been shouting about for months and pleading for the press to report on. Unfortunately too many media outlets have happily jumped on the bandwagon after Alex Ferguson and David Moyes thought that Kean was doing a great job and was getting unfairly targeted by the fans. Kean was made out to be this man of great dignity and integrity, while the fans were just a load of louts who didn't realise how lucky they were to have a man with such expertise leading them. As Barry Glendinning pointed out to me a number of months ago, when I was debating this subject, 'it's people's indifference to it all that probably hurts the most' and he was correct. We are getting the support of the press now, but it should have been months ago when it may have made a bit of difference - if not in getting the manager removed, but at least how the fans and the real problems at the club were viewed by the general public.

As Barry Glendinning says, Kean doesn't even have his dignity anymore; if he had any to begin with. If there are people out there that still believe that Steve Kean is a man of the highest moral and dignified standing, then I suggest that you just watch or read his post match comments from Monday night. After two disastrous seasons in charge, where he has plunged the team into two relegation battles, ultimately ending in the club falling through the trap door to the Championship, directly after the game that sealed our fate, Kean had the front to openly declare that he would be back next season as he had complete faith in his managerial abilities. Not even then, in the face of relegation could the man show some humility or grace, he was still on the self promotion trail.

To make matters worse, Rovers fans then had to listen to Bradly Orr, some no mark journey man footballer, who was plucked from the QPR reserves by Kean in January come out and speak on 'behalf' of the team. All he did was criticise the fans and launch into a defence of Kean, declaring what a great man he was, how he was the best manager he had worked under and how the team felt that he was the right man for the job. It's obvious why this total irrelevance of a footballer who has only been at the club 5 minutes and who is no doubt indebted to Kean for giving him his chance in the Premier League, was put forward by the club over the likes of Robinson our captain, Dunn our local player or Givet our long serving French international defender. Orr wouldn't break rank and would do the required arse licking that Kean thrives off so he can continue to say that the players are behind him. Kean and his slime ball PR man Paul Agnew couldn't be sure that the others would do likewise.

An extremely generous person may have put Kean's post match comments down to him being caught up in the heat of the moment and all the emotions that go with being relegated and after a bit of time to reflect, Kean may have a more restrained and self-effacing tone to his comments. They would be wrong. During Wednesday's press conference Kean said 12 words that made the hearts of Rovers fans sink further. "It's very simple. The owners aren't going anywhere. I'm not going anywhere." When asked if he thought that the owners were the correct people for the job he answered "100%". The man may well have said "you can shove your f**k*ng protests up your b0110cks ya pr!cks, we're here for good" to fans, for all the disguise in his antagonising comments. He stated that he thought we should have beaten Wigan and refused to apologise for relegating the team. If there was ever a time for contrition, in the face of the club getting relegated, the revelations of Paul Hunt's email being leaked, with all the lies, delusional statements, disgraceful managerial and administrative decisions, this was it. But Steve Kean, the man who was so greatly hailed as such a dignified man, couldn't even find it in himself to offer a simple apology.

To do such would be in some suggest that something was indeed wrong at the club. This would then contradict his earlier assertion in the press conference that "the club have taken a step back to go forward" and that "these are exciting times for the club" and all Rovers fans know how Steve Kean hates to make contradictory statements. Although he did that very thing later on. He pointed to all the experienced players he had lost as a way of explaining the teams relegation. Of those experienced players, El Hadji Diouf and Brett Emerton were released at the start of the season. Michael Salgado and Jason Roberts were frozen out because their contracts stated that they would be entitled to new ones if they played a few more games (although Kean said that the reason they weren't playing was because of injury, which both players denied live on TV and radio, while Salgado even suggested that he would waive that clause in his contract so he could play & help the team). Club captain Ryan Nelsen was released because Kean said that he couldn't get fit, only for Nelsen to sign for Spurs and make his debut a couple of days later. Keith Andrews (not the most popular Rovers player) wanted out after the way Kean had treated him (Andrew's words). Team captain Chris Samba was sold after Kean declared that it wouldn't happen and when it did it was outside the British transfer window, meaning that a replacement couldn't be bought.

But Kean doesn't let these minor details get in the way of a bit of spin to try and mask his gross inabilities as a manager. These experienced players were gotten rid of as a cost cutting exercise, with the irony and lunacy of the decision making being that you need to have experienced players in the squad to do well and they usually cost a bit of money, so by the club looking to save a few quid on wages has ultimately cost them millions more from lost television revenue and advertising. He has squandered £20 million on signings, with all but one of them being a total failure. If this isn't proof enough of the absolute chaos at Rovers at the moment, just look at the email from Paul Hunt to the owners that was leaked on Tuesday. It's pleads with the owners to make some drastic changes (I did have to laugh though when the first of his 10 points refers to a pay rise he would require for becoming the CEO, not the best way to start an email that talks about the concern for the club), including sacking the manager, to help save the club. It echoes John Williams' letter from a year ago which asks for some serious changes at the club and outlines his concerns about Steve Kean's abilities as a manager and how he reports directly to the owners.

At Wednesday's press conference, reporters were banned from asking any questions regarding Paul Hunt as the club couldn't confirm if he the Deputy CEO had left! Kean did say that he hadn't read the email, just got bits and pieces from the staff that day, which is a total lie. Mrs Desai forwarded it to him straight after she got it, with Kean and Hunt being at loggerheads ever since. Some journalists were able to sneak a few Paul Hunt related questions in and the Daily Mail reported that Kean said that if what was in the email was true, he felt 'stabbed in the back'. So Kean, the man who ousted Sam Allardyce with dodgy deals behind the scenes and who has lied, squirmed, cheated and spun ever since getting the job feels stabbed in the back when someone makes an attempt to save the club from all the harm he is doing? You couldn't make it up!

Venky's said yesterday that Hunt's sacking was nothing to do with the leaked email!

Even today at a press conference, Kean accused Andy Cryer, a local journalist, of being negative, while Kean likes to think of the positives. For negative, Rovers fans would just say realistic and for positive Rovers fans would just say deluded. Kean was commended for a long time about being so positive but now it has worn thin and people are seeing him for the chronic liar and serial fantasist that he really he is. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This sums up Steve Kean perfectly. He has continually spouted the same lip licking optimistic (deluded and fantastical) nonsense ever since becoming manager and while Rovers fans had enough of it a long time ago, everyone else seems like they have had their fill too.

Rovers fans have had long held suspicions that Kean is more than just the manager at Blackburn. With his agent being linked so closely to the owners and with Kean reporting directly to the lunes in Pune, we have wondered if there is something in place that means that Kean can't be fired. The owners stated at the start of the season that he was 'unsackable'. At the time, this comment was taken as just a show of faith in the manager. As the season has gone on and with the way things have unfolded, that statement seems far more sinister. After the Bolton game in December, when the team was at its lowest point, Kean stated that he would be 100% shocked if he were fired, despite the team losing at home to their local rivals, leaving them bottom of the table at Christmas. Could the reason that he has been so 'dignified' in the face of the protests be that he is in full knowledge of the fact that he isn't going anywhere, so doesn't have to worry what people chant? How can a man who has a record of 13 wins from 58 games and having relegated a club talk so brazenly and confidently about being in the same job next year? These are the sorts of questions that needed to be asked and investigated by journalists, instead of discussing where Gareth Bale will play next season.

No matter what, we have still been relegated. Rovers fans don't think they are entitled to be in the Premiership or having good owners. We have been spoiled rotten as a club over the past 20 years with the club's achievements. Other teams twice the size of Rovers, with equally proud traditions, have crashed and burned over the past number of years due to mismanagement. What angers the fans so much is that barely anyone has batted an eyelid at the criminal amount of neglect that has taken place over the last 18 months at an established, well run Premiership club. Steve Kean and Venky's have been able to tear the heart of the club in front of our eyes and only now, when it's too late have people woken up to it.'

[Stuart]

Fantastic post Roy, if you haven't already sent it, do a quick proof read first for spelling!

One point did make me wonder. Nelsen was allegedly released for not being able to stay fit, yet Grella is still on the books. I'm guessing he stood firm and wouldn't compromise. Can't really blame him though if reaching an agreement is, allegedly, reneged on by Venkys FC to the point where Nelsen is considering suing.

We've got the absolute worst of everything at the club at the minute. (Excepting the hard working staff on the indirect side).

[chopperhopper]

Fantastic post Roy.

This is my first time posting on here for quite some time.

I just wondered who if anyone has links with people in the club on a day to day basis.

How is it for them, I presume complete confusion, or is it?

I'm so sad with the way things have gone this last 18 months especially as Roy said with the complete lack of interest by the media until relegation.

Unfortuntnately with the way football is now, Blackburn is the prime example of the power of the ownership.

One day we will have our club back in our hands until that time boycotting the club completely is the only way I feel of taking it back.

[RoyRover]

Fantastic post Roy, if you haven't already sent it, do a quick proof read first for spelling!

One point did make me wonder. Nelsen was allegedly released for not being able to stay fit, yet Grella is still on the books. I'm guessing he stood firm and wouldn't compromise. Can't really blame him though if reaching an agreement is, allegedly, reneged on by Venkys FC to the point where Nelsen is considering suing.

We've got the absolute worst of everything at the club at the minute. (Excepting the hard working staff on the indirect side).

I know the spelling was a bit off. I was doing it on my phone, while on a train, so it wasn't exactly the ideal setting for writing. I was just so angry and had to get it off my chest. This is Wordsworth compared to some of the tripe on The Guardian message board. The fact that I use capital letters at the start of sentences and full stops at the end of a sentence sets it apart!

I wondered about Grella too. Maybe he just didn't tell Kean that he was a total b0110cks like I imagine some of the other players did?

[Stuart]

Great effort Roy. Keep the Blue Flag Flying High...

[adsfortheblues]

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[DE.]

One point did make me wonder. Nelsen was allegedly released for not being able to stay fit, yet Grella is still on the books. I'm guessing he stood firm and wouldn't compromise. Can't really blame him though if reaching an agreement is, allegedly, reneged on by Venkys FC to the point where Nelsen is considering suing.

I used to hate Grella for thieving a living from the club, but now it kind of amuses me that he's sitting around draining the wage bill Venky's is so desperate to slash.

[david_daft]

Great post, Roy. You could also have added his statement that 'we have played well in every game this season.'

Despite losing 12 home games, the swansea away game (where I was embarrassed to be a Rovers fan), the Spurs away game ,

and quite a few other abysmal performances.

[bob fleming]

Superb post Roy. Top stuff.

[Baz]

Great post Roy. Top drawer.

[Gav]

Its a great post, its our current plight in a nutshell, season tickets? people must be mad.

Kean out

Venkys out

Agnew out

[Rovermatt]

Had a quick scan of Cryer's report in which Kean condemns him for being "negative". He's a charlatan, a scoundrel. Like a mad dictator he's thrashing about wildly, flexing his muscles and settling scores. Wholly incapable of brooking any dissent or criticism.

I've absolutely no doubt he has some sort of little black book.

It also strikes me that he realised that he is long past the point of no return and, as such, is becoming increasingly antagonistic in his dealings with the press and, through the press, the Rovers faithful.

[DE.]

"That's your opinion" ... ffs, that isn't even a proper answer it's something a petulant teenager would say. You can imagine him folding his arms and sulking after saying it. What a loser.

[Seggie]

Its like that old Sky1 soap Dream Team, you half expect something ridiculous to happen and it does. With it being a soap opera at Rovers atm you half expect the shows main villain, Kean, to go out with a bang. My prediction is:

Once Kean realises the net is closing in from the authorities he takes MGP hostage and after a 5 hour seige ends up getting arrested/shot

[bob fleming]

Kean's next great presser after the 7 0 thrashing at Chelsea on Sunday will no doubt see him sing Still Ill by The Smiths...

"I decree today that life

Is simply taking and not giving

England is mine - it owes me a living

But ask me why and I'll spit in your eye

Oh, ask me why, and I'll spit in your eye

But you cannot cling to the old dreams anymore

No, you cannot cling to those dreams

Am I still ill?

Oh Andy Cryer, find the positives

Am I still ill?"

With apologies to Morrissey for the lyric tweaks, he is bound to be reading BRFCS obviously and Andy Cryer who I'm sure wasn't expecting to end up in a Smiths song this weekend.

Alternatively, check out the lyrics to No Class by Motörhead, "too bad, no magic, I'm afraid you're merely tragic" "your perfect smile, betrays your lack of style." that's our man alright.

[bob fleming]

Its like that old Sky1 soap Dream Team, you half expect something ridiculous to happen and it does. With it being a soap opera at Rovers atm you half expect the shows main villain, Kean, to go out with a bang. My prediction is:

Once Kean realises the net is closing in from the authorities he takes MGP hostage and after a 5 hour seige ends up getting arrested/shot

I heard that someone once put a script forward for some Indian Chicken Farmers to buy Harchester United but it was rejected for being a bit too unbelievable.

[allanncd]

There must be SOME reason for the Venkys Witch clinging onto Kean. In life most things come down to finance or sex. Any ideas?

[Amo]

Steve Kean's Future Set To Be Discussed:

Mrs. Desai: You still want the gig?

Kean: Absolutely.

Mrs. Desai: Carry on then.

*Credits roll*

[gumboots]

There must be SOME reason for the Venkys Witch clinging onto Kean. In life most things come down to finance or sex. Any ideas?

It's got to be money - not even the most deluded one could find either of those 2 attractive.

[ABBEY]

It's got to be money - not even the most deluded one could find either of those 2 attractive.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE I DONT KNOW ID DO HER

....

KIDDDING

[Proudtobeblue&white]

Sadly, other than watching the PL on the telly box, and the great ones pronouncements, what point of reference do the loons have - all year Gary big ears has been saying together with Jerome's cronies on Sky how good he is. I think they are genuinely confused by the word relegation - it's not something the great one has ever mentioned!

[Seggie]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE I DONT KNOW ID DO HER

....

KIDDDING

Think Id rather have a go on a regular Jeremy Kyle guest tbh

[Baz]

There must be SOME reason for the Venkys Witch clinging onto Kean. In life most things come down to finance or sex. Any ideas?

Or that Kean has some proof of wrongdoings by Venkys? Like knowledge of the (alledgedly) true involvement of JA.