Valérien Ismaël: Blackburn Rovers Head Coach

[MarkBRFC]

33 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

or it was truth. How is ludicrous that a player family might not be happy away from family or friends. Would you be happy moving away from your home to different county and somewhere where you didn't know anyone. I know I wouldn't want to move away from where I live where my family and friends are. 

Yet they are back up north a couple of years later.

It's nonsense Chaddy.

[Mattyblue]

I had heard all his mates from his Oxford days all actually lived on Sandbanks… 

[chaddyrovers]

24 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

Yet they are back up north a couple of years later.

It's nonsense Chaddy.

you clearly know more than myself about the current Rothwell family situation and living arrangements

P.S. Rothwell is living in Leeds on his own with his Family down South 

“This one [loan] has been tough because I’ve moved up without my family, my kids being in school. It wasn’t just a case of moving them with me because I don’t know what’s going to happen next season.

“I made the decision with my wife to leave them, it’s been tough. I don’t get to see them as much as I’d like to but we knew it was a sacrifice we had to make

‘It has been tough’: Joe Rothwell discusses if he will be at Leeds United next season – Sport Viwers

Edited Wednesday at 12:34 by chaddyrovers

[Exiled_Rover]

On 03/03/2025 at 20:21, Tugayisgod said:

People just trying to make something out of nothing again. They are 2nd in the league with 9 games to go. It couldn't be that he just wants to try and finish the job he's there for, could it ?

Let him finish the job there then... and appoint someone else instead.

We can't be a man down because Murray wants to win a tinpot league. 

[MarkBRFC]

18 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

you clearly know more than myself about the current Rothwell family situation and living arrangements

P.S. Rothwell is living in Leeds on his own with his Family down South 

What do you think they would have done if Liverpool had come in for him that January/Summer as well as Bournemouth?

[roversfan99]

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Well you are clearly worried about it since you seem to be focusing on it even tho Ismael is happy with the current staff he has there. 

Nothing wrong with my state of mind, so no need for such comments, I just seen everything you do. 

or it was truth. How is ludicrous that a player family might not be happy away from family or friends. Would you be happy moving away from your home to different county and somewhere where you didn't know anyone. I know I wouldn't want to move away from where I live where my family and friends are. 

How do you know that Ismael is happy with his current staff?

[chaddyrovers]

59 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

What do you think they would have done if Liverpool had come in for him that January/Summer as well as Bournemouth?

That's a question for Rothwell but you are missing the point here. If your missus is unhappy where you live and wanted to moved back then you would pick that wouldn't you or live separate. Take your pick but my family would always come first 

15 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

How do you know that Ismael is happy with his current staff?

is this a serious Question? if so, look at Jackson's article yesterday with Ismael on the coaching staff 

[roversfan99]

3 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

That's a question for Rothwell but you are missing the point here. If your missus is unhappy where you live and wanted to moved back then you would pick that wouldn't you or live separate. Take your pick but my family would always come first 

is this a serious Question? if so, look at Jackson's article yesterday with Ismael on the coaching staff 

Has he said the same thing that every single head coach or manager has said? 

Ill be impressed if anyone ever comes in and says, im not happy that I cant have more of my own staff but I will have to make do with these.

[chaddyrovers]

2 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Has he said the same thing that every single head coach or manager has said? 

Ill be impressed if anyone ever comes in and says, im not happy that I cant have more of my own staff but I will have to make do with these.

So maybe it time you start believing it and accept it instead of not doing so and start looking for things that aren't they. 

Also think would Ismael have taken the job if he wasn't happy with the current staff in place apart from bringing in his own number 2? most head coaches bring in their own number 2 but work with the rest of the staff 

[MarkBRFC]

14 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

That's a question for Rothwell but you are missing the point here. If your missus is unhappy where you live and wanted to moved back then you would pick that wouldn't you or live separate. Take your pick but my family would always come first 

Tell you what would have happened, moving down South wouldn't have even been considered during that scenario.

[chaddyrovers]

Just now, MarkBRFC said:

Tell you what would have happened, moving down South wouldn't have even been considered during that scenario.

lets get back reality instead of these stupid scenario that people like yourself come up with., it is clear Rothwell's family wanted to move back down South and that what happened. Joe Rothwell made the difficult decision to go to Leeds this season and leave his own missus and Children down South. Tough decision for anyone to make and he deserved respect for it cos I wouldn't have done it. 

[roversfan99]

19 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

So maybe it time you start believing it and accept it instead of not doing so and start looking for things that aren't they. 

Also think would Ismael have taken the job if he wasn't happy with the current staff in place apart from bringing in his own number 2? most head coaches bring in their own number 2 but work with the rest of the staff 

According to you, every manager ever has been happy with the staff because they always say that they are when they join.

I have no idea if he genuinely is happy with the staff or wishes he could bring in more, thats my point, we dont truly know. Im not saying he isnt happy.

Do I think he would have taken the job? He has been out of work for a year having been sacked fairly soon into his reign at two previous Championship clubs. He said that every other club he has spoken too since has been in relegation trouble. We were in the play off places, he gets a 3 and a half year deal and knows that the job is there as long as he wants it regardless of success or not. So yes, I think he would have taken it regardless of the staff changes he was permitted to make.

[JHRover]

45 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

lets get back reality instead of these stupid scenario that people like yourself come up with., it is clear Rothwell's family wanted to move back down South and that what happened. Joe Rothwell made the difficult decision to go to Leeds this season and leave his own missus and Children down South. Tough decision for anyone to make and he deserved respect for it cos I wouldn't have done it. 

Clueless Chaddy.

Rothwell is from Manchester and his wife from Birmingham. Other than his short spells at Bournemouth and Southampton he's played in Man Utd's youth team, Barnsley, Oxford, Blackpool, Rovers and now Leeds.

He and his family have spent the vast majority of his life playing in the North of England. 

It is a myth that the move to Bournemouth was brought about by some family factors or burning desire to live on the South Coast.

In a nutshell Rovers mucked him around, as they have everyone else, his head was turned by a better offer elsewhere and he took it. See everyone else that has departed in the last few years, Eustace and JDT included. Nothing to do with saving on travel or family pressure, just a desperation to get away from Venky Rovers. Who can blame them? Not me.

[Mattyblue]

‘So, Valerién, what do you think of the coaching staff you have inherited?’

’They’re shit, but I needed the job’.

[philipl]

My goodness, a Blackburn Rovers thread getting wound up about not being able to recruit Eastbourne's manager.

Are we in the Blackburn Combination now?

[chaddyrovers]

20 hours ago, JHRover said:

Clueless Chaddy.

Rothwell is from Manchester and his wife from Birmingham. Other than his short spells at Bournemouth and Southampton he's played in Man Utd's youth team, Barnsley, Oxford, Blackpool, Rovers and now Leeds.

He and his family have spent the vast majority of his life playing in the North of England. 

It is a myth that the move to Bournemouth was brought about by some family factors or burning desire to live on the South Coast.

In a nutshell Rovers mucked him around, as they have everyone else, his head was turned by a better offer elsewhere and he took it. See everyone else that has departed in the last few years, Eustace and JDT included. Nothing to do with saving on travel or family pressure, just a desperation to get away from Venky Rovers. Who can blame them? Not me.

They met early in his Oxford days by the looks of it, given he is playing at Leeds without his family with him and still based in the south tell you the situation currently, So f you suggest its a myth why is he living in Leeds on his own away from his family. 

Your lack of understanding here is total shocking is it. would you just think of the money or would you want your missus and family to be happy where you live and be around friends that she has. Or put another way, would yourself moved to a different part of the country cos of a new job even tho your missus and family didn't want to move around their home, family and Friends. I wonder which one you would choose 

[JHRover]

6 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

They met early in his Oxford days by the looks of it, given he is playing at Leeds without his family with him and still based in the south tell you the situation currently, So f you suggest its a myth why is he living in Leeds on his own away from his family. 

Your lack of understanding here is total shocking is it. would you just think of the money or would you want your missus and family to be happy where you live and be around friends that she has. Or put another way, would yourself moved to a different part of the country cos of a new job even tho your missus and family didn't want to move around their home, family and Friends. I wonder which one you would choose 

He's a professional footballer and extremely well paid for the privilege. One of the few downsides to such a career is that it can involve moving around the country or even across Europe/the world from season to season and club to club. 

You seem to apply conventional principles to an unconventional career and lifestyle. If every player and manager made his career decisions based on saving on travel time or not uprooting his family football would be an incredibly different and even more dull spectacle. 

The extreme lengths you will go to in an effort to absolve Rovers of any blame or responsibility for the vast number of people who wish to leave here and move elsewhere still doesn't cease to amaze me. I would have thought after all this time and all these departures that you would focus your attention on what the owners and their stooges are up to rather than trying to convince yourself that all is fine and dandy and just that some players fancy living away from here. 

Just to confirm again - blindly accepting what occurs at Rovers and the excuses they peddle via the media does not make you a proper fan or more loyal than it does questioning and scrutinising things. I'd argue the opposite - failing to take the lowlife to task on these things only makes it easier for them and more likely they'll continue destroying the club. 

[chaddyrovers]

21 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

According to you, every manager ever has been happy with the staff because they always say that they are when they join.

I have no idea if he genuinely is happy with the staff or wishes he could bring in more, thats my point, we dont truly know. Im not saying he isnt happy.

You don't truly know, cos as per usual with yourself, you are making out there is problem when there isn't one. 

Lowe, Johnson and Benson have been here under 4 head coaches. Maybe cos there are decent enough coaches and 

21 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Do I think he would have taken the job? He has been out of work for a year having been sacked fairly soon into his reign at two previous Championship clubs. He said that every other club he has spoken too since has been in relegation trouble. We were in the play off places, he gets a 3 and a half year deal and knows that the job is there as long as he wants it regardless of success or not. So yes, I think he would have taken it regardless of the staff changes he was permitted to make.

Yes sacked by WBA when 5th in the league and 9th with Watford, hardly bad is it. Maybe these clubs need some patience and stop sacking managers. 

 

[chaddyrovers]

Just now, JHRover said:

He's a professional footballer and extremely well paid for the privilege. One of the few downsides to such a career is that it can involve moving around the country or even across Europe/the world from season to season and club to club. 

You seem to apply conventional principles to an unconventional career and lifestyle. If every player and manager made his career decisions based on saving on travel time or not uprooting his family football would be an incredibly different and even more dull spectacle. 

You seem to want to apply unconventional principles to the situation instead of accepting the Rothwell situation and other footballers situation who don't want to move their family espically when family are settled in the area they, in school and the footballer/head coach moves away and travelled when they can in JDT/Eustace or Mowbray.  

Just now, JHRover said:

The extreme lengths you will go to in an effort to absolve Rovers of any blame or responsibility for the vast number of people who wish to leave here and move elsewhere still doesn't cease to amaze me. I would have thought after all this time and all these departures that you would focus your attention on what the owners and their stooges are up to rather than trying to convince yourself that all is fine and dandy and just that some players fancy living away from here. 

More Bullshit, I have already commented on the Rovers contract situation this season and we need to sort it out one way or other. you agree with my opinion. 

Its not so surprised the lengths you go to about Rothwell situation is utter bizarre

Just now, JHRover said:

Just to confirm again - blindly accepting what occurs at Rovers and the excuses they peddle via the media does not make you a proper fan or more loyal than it does questioning and scrutinising things. I'd argue the opposite - failing to take the lowlife to task on these things only makes it easier for them and more likely they'll continue destroying the club. 

We all the problems behind the scenes and the lack of reinvestment but we have a good shot of the playoffs this season. I am happy with the Ismael appointment, I wonder if you are tho? or does it not matter ? 

[martonrover]

 

[Upside Down]

12 hours ago, philipl said:

My goodness, a Blackburn Rovers thread getting wound up about not being able to recruit Eastbourne's manager.

Are we in the Blackburn Combination now?

We will be soon enough

[Exiled_Rover]

14 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Lowe, Johnson and Benson have been here under 4 head coaches. Maybe cos there are decent enough coaches.

 

They're here because they're forced upon each Head Coach / Manager (whichever terminology and pathway we're using this week on our journey / project).

I can only assume all three are stooges for the Board - they're certainly not here on merit as every Manager would want to bring his own team in, given the opportunity. 

[JHRover]

20 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

You seem to want to apply unconventional principles to the situation instead of accepting the Rothwell situation and other footballers situation who don't want to move their family espically when family are settled in the area they, in school and the footballer/head coach moves away and travelled when they can in JDT/Eustace or Mowbray.  

More Bullshit, I have already commented on the Rovers contract situation this season and we need to sort it out one way or other. you agree with my opinion. 

Its not so surprised the lengths you go to about Rothwell situation is utter bizarre

We all the problems behind the scenes and the lack of reinvestment but we have a good shot of the playoffs this season. I am happy with the Ismael appointment, I wonder if you are tho? or does it not matter ? 

Yes we seem to agree on the contract situation and the urgent need to sort those out. I suspect we are already too late and the players in question will have decided to look elsewhere and will be getting advice from their representatives to dismiss any attempts by Rovers to renew them (if Rovers even make any attempts, which I doubt).

The only exceptions to that will be people like Weimann and Batth who probably deserve new deals but Rovers can afford to muck around (as we did with Batth when JDT was manager) because at their ages and career stages they won't have loads of options and will be happy just to stay in the Championship playing for another year.

The difference between me and you is that when these players waltz off into the sunset and join rival clubs at knockdown fees/free transfers I won't be shrugging my shoulders and concocting all sorts of excuses why Rovers couldn't or wouldn't keep them, I won't be blaming FFP, I won't be blaming crowds, fanbases, legal troubles, the players or their agents for being greedy, unreasonable, telling myself that someone has always fancied living in Stoke or Derby or Middlesbrough or wherever they go. I won't be doing that because it is almost certainly bullshit, fanned out to the media and supporters by people at Rovers anxious to protect their cushy numbers and keep the supporters on side in the meantime.

I will be holding Rovers 100% responsible and behaving accordingly. You however have a habit of re-writing history or swallowing any old story that appears on twitter/Nixon/Venkygraph because it is easier to stomach than the painful truth of what is going on at Rovers. 

I am glad you are happy with the Ismael appointment. I couldn't care less to be honest. We have a 2 month season and future. What happens beyond that is way bigger and more significant than who the 'head coach' is. 

I'll have a bet with you now that he isn't our manager by March 2026. No criticism of him but he won't be given the opportunity or resources to do his job so he'll either quit (JDT) or engineer a move elsewhere (Eustace). 

Edited Friday at 09:15 by JHRover

[chaddyrovers]

7 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

They're here because they're forced upon each Head Coach / Manager (whichever terminology and pathway we're using this week on our journey / project).

I can only assume all three are stooges for the Board - they're certainly not here on merit as every Manager would want to bring his own team in, given the opportunity. 

Its a myth that every head coach has their own complete staff, Ismael has always had his number 2 and sometimes his own first team but also worked with the exist staff already there. 

 

[lraC]

3 hours ago, JHRover said:

Yes we seem to agree on the contract situation and the urgent need to sort those out. I suspect we are already too late and the players in question will have decided to look elsewhere and will be getting advice from their representatives to dismiss any attempts by Rovers to renew them (if Rovers even make any attempts, which I doubt).

The only exceptions to that will be people like Weimann and Batth who probably deserve new deals but Rovers can afford to muck around (as we did with Batth when JDT was manager) because at their ages and career stages they won't have loads of options and will be happy just to stay in the Championship playing for another year.

The difference between me and you is that when these players waltz off into the sunset and join rival clubs at knockdown fees/free transfers I won't be shrugging my shoulders and concocting all sorts of excuses why Rovers couldn't or wouldn't keep them, I won't be blaming FFP, I won't be blaming crowds, fanbases, legal troubles, the players or their agents for being greedy, unreasonable, telling myself that someone has always fancied living in Stoke or Derby or Middlesbrough or wherever they go. I won't be doing that because it is almost certainly bullshit, fanned out to the media and supporters by people at Rovers anxious to protect their cushy numbers and keep the supporters on side in the meantime.

I will be holding Rovers 100% responsible and behaving accordingly. You however have a habit of re-writing history or swallowing any old story that appears on twitter/Nixon/Venkygraph because it is easier to stomach than the painful truth of what is going on at Rovers. 

I am glad you are happy with the Ismael appointment. I couldn't care less to be honest. We have a 2 month season and future. What happens beyond that is way bigger and more significant than who the 'head coach' is. 

I'll have a bet with you now that he isn't our manager by March 2026. No criticism of him but he won't be given the opportunity or resources to do his job so he'll either quit (JDT) or engineer a move elsewhere (Eustace). 

Spot on.

Sadly, certain people at the club, do rely on the blind faith that some fans have, in that the custodians are doing the right thing for the club.

We had a player return last weekend, who once deliberately scored some own goals and got himself sent off, to engineer a move away, yet some people still decided to defend that.

There are sadly people involved with the club right now, who do not care on jot for the supporters, or the club itself and are in it for their own selfish reasons.

We owe it to ourselves and the history of the club, to call these people out and not to simply sit back and allow this to happen.