Valérien Ismaël: Blackburn Rovers Head Coach

[Exiled_Rover]

51 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

I don't believe for a nano second Derby were offering Eustace 10/12k a week more than he was on here, a month more maybe and that adds up well over a few years.

They already committed half a million in compensation for him although i wouldn't be surprised if there was a nice big bonus attached if he keeps them up.

If you were this set of fools here and he was being sounded out with an attractive offer but clearly open to staying you'd say ...look we can't renegotiate right now and we can't confirm what the summer budget will be but we'll meet you half way...

..X amount bonus for finishing in the play offs and XX amount if we go up through those.

Make the gamble of staying and turning down a Derby deal worthwhile even if it meant he was still uneasy about staying beyond that.

Do we think that was even considered ?  Or was the just out of the shadows man by then more excited about the prospect of a big compen payment and bringing in Rudy's cheaper pal who'll do as he is told ?

I don't think the money or the contract length were the deciding factors. It was the fact Rovers is a chaotic mess behind the scenes and the Board wouldn't commit to anything - transfers, new contracts for players, a conversation with the owners.

He's better off out of it - if anything I'm jealous that he can transfer out (like the players can). It's only us fans that have to suffer in the long term. 

[Tomphil2]

51 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I don't think the money or the contract length were the deciding factors. It was the fact Rovers is a chaotic mess behind the scenes and the Board wouldn't commit to anything - transfers, new contracts for players, a conversation with the owners.

He's better off out of it - if anything I'm jealous that he can transfer out (like the players can). It's only us fans that have to suffer in the long term. 

These lot obviously made sod all effort to keep him here, Waggots philosophy every time seems to be someone enquires about a pissed off player or coach and they say i want to hear what they say means they're already gone. Or 'in the departure lounge' as he says in between playing snakes and ladders.

Sums up the defeatist small time attitude of the whole place but then again a lot of these trips to the departure lounge are being engineered by their present employers if you ask me.

[sharpysharps86]

1 hour ago, MarkBRFC said:

When*

With all that significant investment? Surely not

 

[chaddyrovers]

On 07/04/2025 at 14:32, Mattyblue said:

So not well.

so not well???

[chaddyrovers]

23 hours ago, TugaysMarlboro said:

Firstly, I don't think partly quoting a sentence from Pasha as the gospel truth is a wise thing when trying to backup your argument, especially when one of those signings came in at the end of January and the other seemingly can't dislodge Pears as number 1 (a position we both agree, should be number 1 priority in the summer).

Pasha has said on the record what we spend this season. That's was my overall point

23 hours ago, TugaysMarlboro said:

Secondly, you have said we need 10 new players next season, i'll assume that does not include replacements of any other potential losses who we haven't had this season (such as if Markanday or Garrett leave on a perm or loan again). Do you think obtaining the number of players we need at the right level, can be obtained with the small amount of money you've mentioned?

its 9 players cos Ribeiro has re-sign now. No idea. I expect us to bring in 3 or 4 players from French, German and Belgium leagues. a couple from the championship and couple of loans from PL club

23 hours ago, sharpysharps86 said:

It'll swing back if Rovers lose tomorrow night and Ismael stands with his hands in his pockets, offering absolutely no encouragement to his players before heading down the tunnel at full time, ignorant to the fans.

I still want Blackburn Rovers to win games despite my views on Ismael. I hope he proves me wrong and still winning games 

Edited Tuesday at 14:13 by chaddyrovers

[Gamst]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

its 9 players cos Ribeiro has re-sign now. No idea. I expect us to bring in 3 or 4 players from French, German and Belgium leagues. a couple from the championship and couple of loans from PL club

 

How much do you reckon a team would need to invest to sign 9 players of championship standard? How much would a team need to invest to sign 9 players who are good enough to challenge for promotion? I suppose looking at last year’s reported spend of £4.5 million would be the most reliable estimate of our budget and I’m not clear if that includes wages/agents fees etc. 9 players with a budget like that relies on some spectacular scouting and a lot of luck. Of course we don’t know what the budget is next season but in your opinion is it likely that we are going to invest the money that’s required to progress? 

[sharpysharps86]

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

I still want Blackburn Rovers to win games despite my views on Ismael. I hope he proves me wrong and still winning games 

Of course, we all want Rovers to win every match.

[dallydally]

What a plonker this guy is. If he was the best of the applicants then it's frightening!

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Nowhere near good enough this mon.

[chaddyrovers]

6 hours ago, Gamst said:

How much do you reckon a team would need to invest to sign 9 players of championship standard? How much would a team need to invest to sign 9 players who are good enough to challenge for promotion? I suppose looking at last year’s reported spend of £4.5 million would be the most reliable estimate of our budget and I’m not clear if that includes wages/agents fees etc. 9 players with a budget like that relies on some spectacular scouting and a lot of luck. Of course we don’t know what the budget is next season but in your opinion is it likely that we are going to invest the money that’s required to progress? 

first and second questions , I don't know.

Third question, Yes 

[roversfan99]

You think we are likely to spend the money to progress?

Deary me.

[StHelensRover]

Just saw this exchange

[roversfan99]

Why people ask that idiot questions is beyond me.

Although sadly there is no way a manager gets a 3 and a half year deal with a break clause after 3 months.

Edited Tuesday at 22:49 by roversfan99

[RevidgeBlue]

2 hours ago, StHelensRover said:

Just saw this exchange

Nixon being unnecessarily prickly there.

Perfectly reasonable question to ask.

If he's right we're completely buggered.

 

[Mattyblue]

Why was this guy given a longer contract than any manager we’ve had under this regime?

[Ferrit]

7 hours ago, StHelensRover said:

Just saw this exchange

A bit rich for a guy who deals exclusively in shite, when’s Pears off to Man United?

Nixon is a known clown. 

[Tomphil2]

1 hour ago, Mattyblue said:

Why was this guy given a longer contract than any manager we’ve had under this regime?

I'm assuming it's because he's pitched himself cheaper than anyone for a long time however don't be surprised if it isn't that but instead these collection of idiots thinking soley of compensation from another club if he did well.

They've got a taste for it now.

[pedrob2014]

This will be an unpopular post but never mind.  As much as we were right to criticise him for the first half we have to give him credit for the 2nd half when was the last time we came from 2 - 0 down to get anything and the players certainly came out fired up.  I will also add that I am still far from convinced that he is right man for the job but feel we have to give credit where its due

[Herbie6590]

1 hour ago, Mattyblue said:

Why was this guy given a longer contract than any manager we’ve had under this regime?

It’s a performative gesture to say to the outside world (& the players) that this guy is gonna be around for a while so you’d better get used to it.

The players have then said…”Really? OK…”

[Herbie6590]

10 minutes ago, pedrob2014 said:

This will be an unpopular post but never mind.  As much as we were right to criticise him for the first half we have to give him credit for the 2nd half when was the last time we came from 2 - 0 down to get anything and the players certainly came out fired up.  I will also add that I am still far from convinced that he is right man for the job but feel we have to give credit where its due

Would love to have heard the half time team talk - who led it, what was identified as needing change & how it was to be implemented.

The charge to level at him is if you made such a difference at h/t…try doing that pre-match on Saturday…

[arbitro]

4 minutes ago, Herbie6590 said:

Would love to have heard the half time team talk - who led it, what was identified as needing change & how it was to be implemented.

The charge to level at him is if you made such a difference at h/t…try doing that pre-match on Saturday…

It was clear to me that something happened at half-time as you just couldn't have envisaged two contrasting performances without some radical actions or words in the changing room.

It changed for me when Hedges thundered into a challenge (Hedges and thunder in the same sentence 😂) and the tempo and mentality was immediately different.

No doubt rumours will abound over the next few days but whoever/whatever it was certainly worked.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Thought it very strange for him to be given a three month Clause in his contract

Some wishful thinking there.

 

[DutchRover]

Given the situation he joined the club in, I think a 3-month break clause would actually have been a fairly standard clause to insert. Gives both sides until the end of the season to assess again. They would never announce it as part of the top-line 3 year deal but from a business standpoint it makes perfect sense (to anyone except our execs perhaps...)

Glen presumably trusts his source, and frankly I have more faith in him than Nixon.

[sharpysharps86]

1 hour ago, DutchRover said:

Given the situation he joined the club in, I think a 3-month break clause would actually have been a fairly standard clause to insert. Gives both sides until the end of the season to assess again. They would never announce it as part of the top-line 3 year deal but from a business standpoint it makes perfect sense (to anyone except our execs perhaps...)

Glen presumably trusts his source, and frankly I have more faith in him than Nixon.

I'd certainly trust Glen over Nixon.

I might be wrong but pretty sure the way Glen put it made it sound like the 3 months thing is essentially a probation period where Rovers can choose to get rid of him within that time period and not pay compensation. I don't think its a case of having to wait until the 3 months has been completed. That's my assumption anyway.

If its true then its a no brainer to part ways, he's not the guy.

 

[Gamst]

11 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

first and second questions , I don't know.

Third question, Yes 

Did I read this right? You think we are going to invest what’s needed to progress this summer? What part of the previous 15 years has made you think that? I know you don’t know how much money precisely as none of us do, I’m asking you what your opinion is? A ball park figure? I’d suggest if we need 9 new championship players we would need to invest a minimum of £15 million. I would be personally be astounded if we do that but maybe you know better than me.