Valérien Ismaël: Blackburn Rovers Head Coach

[roversfan99]

46 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Bit unfair to say JDT and Eustace weren't successful. Thought they did exceptionally well to do what they did given the "project" had changed.

They did a good job, I am not saying that they didnt do well to get us where we were in the table. Even Mowbray in his last season. All 3 had us overachieving considering resources and the limitations.

But it didnt lead to success in spite of what they did. The initial point was that even Eustace and JDT couldnt get success even considering the good jobs they were doing.

[Leonard Venkhater]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

They did a good job, I am not saying that they didnt do well to get us where we were in the table. Even Mowbray in his last season. All 3 had us overachieving considering resources and the limitations.

But it didnt lead to success in spite of what they did. The initial point was that even Eustace and JDT couldnt get success even considering the good jobs they were doing.

They were both sabotaged

[Frederick]

if he had any form of ambition and self respect he would’ve walked in August. 

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

15 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

The last 3 managers all had recent seasons were they managed to put us in a really strong position overachieving based on resources. But none were successful because it was just too difficult working under these owners.

They all had their Legs kicked out from under them..all engineered to happen.

[Upside Down]

14 hours ago, Leonard Venkhater said:

They were both sabotaged

Deliberately.

[Torsinho]

As with many things in life, two things are true at once here:

1. VI is a terrible coach, one of my friends who covers the large European leagues for a podcast, shared his heart-felt condolences when he was hired.

2. The squad is rubbish - I'd argue very few, if any, coaches could succeed when you replace experienced Championship-level players with complete unknowns from smaller leagues. Could a better coach get better results? Probably. The season as a whole would still be struggle.

[den]

It’s quite clear to me that Rovers need a complete clear out. I’d get rid of Pasha, Gestede and Ismael. The only way things can improve is by getting rid of those people who are appointing them - the owners. 
The lot need to go and be replaced with people who actually know how to run a club with real ambition. This lot have no idea.

[RevidgeBlue]

He's been in charge now for 18 games - only five short of half a season - and has amassed a grand total of twenty one points.

(Plus a home defeat to Bradford in the League Cup we aren't allowed to mention.)

I dont expect that ratio to improve.

[davulsukur]

1 minute ago, RevidgeBlue said:

He's been in charge now for 18 games - only five short of half a season - and has amassed a grand total of twenty one points.

(Plus a home defeat to Bradford in the League Cup we aren't allowed to mention.)

I dont expect that ratio to improve.

He's an abysmal manager.

We concede the first goal a lot under him and have conceded a lot of goals, sometimes 2, within the first 10mins of a game.

If he loses tomorrow, he needs sacking.

And no @chaddyrovers, I'm not joking. He'll have had 20 games in charge, losing over half of them (11) and winning just 6.

[lraC]

12 minutes ago, davulsukur said:

He's an abysmal manager.

We concede the first goal a lot under him and have conceded a lot of goals, sometimes 2, within the first 10mins of a game.

If he loses tomorrow, he needs sacking.

And no @chaddyrovers, I'm not joking. He'll have had 20 games in charge, losing over half of them (11) and winning just 6.

Given that the people who seem to have appointed him, are on record as saying we have a stronger squad this season that last, perhaps they can explain why we are so much worse this year then.

Sack them all NOW.

[Mike Graham]

42 minutes ago, den said:

It’s quite clear to me that Rovers need a complete clear out. I’d get rid of Pasha, Gestede and Ismael. The only way things can improve is by getting rid of those people who are appointing them - the owners. 
The lot need to go and be replaced with people who actually know how to run a club with real ambition. This lot have no idea.

I could add at least another 5 or 6 names to that list of Pasha, Gestede and Ismael.  We are employing some dead weight who would not be tolerated in any other private sector business.  However employing yes men and women serves a purpose when the top dog does not like to be challenged…..you can see that with how they treat non employees.

[JHRover]

31 minutes ago, davulsukur said:

He's an abysmal manager.

We concede the first goal a lot under him and have conceded a lot of goals, sometimes 2, within the first 10mins of a game.

If he loses tomorrow, he needs sacking.

And no @chaddyrovers, I'm not joking. He'll have had 20 games in charge, losing over half of them (11) and winning just 6.

Ismael's managerial career to date, starting in 2014:

Nuremburg - 5 months and 14 games

Wolfsburg - 4 months and 17 games

Apollon Smyrnis - 3 months and 1 game

LASK - 14 months and 50 games

Barnsley - 8 months and 44 games

WBA - 8 months and 31 games

Besiktas - 7 months and 19 games

Watford - 10 months and 41 games

Average tenure - 7.3 months

Average games - 27

Rovers - 7 months and 19 games (and counting).

Within a few weeks he will have eclipsed his average tenure at a club and with another 8 matches will have matched his average games in charge at a club. 

Most of the above decided to sack him - infact the only one he walked away from voluntarily I think was Barnsley to take up the WBA offer. 

Gestede and Pasha in their infinite wisdom decided to give him a 3.5 year contract. 

[lraC]

54 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Ismael's managerial career to date, starting in 2014:

Nuremburg - 5 months and 14 games

Wolfsburg - 4 months and 17 games

Apollon Smyrnis - 3 months and 1 game

LASK - 14 months and 50 games

Barnsley - 8 months and 44 games

WBA - 8 months and 31 games

Besiktas - 7 months and 19 games

Watford - 10 months and 41 games

Average tenure - 7.3 months

Average games - 27

Rovers - 7 months and 19 games (and counting).

Within a few weeks he will have eclipsed his average tenure at a club and with another 8 matches will have matched his average games in charge at a club. 

Most of the above decided to sack him - infact the only one he walked away from voluntarily I think was Barnsley to take up the WBA offer. 

Gestede and Pasha in their infinite wisdom decided to give him a 3.5 year contract. 

It is a definite job for the boys.

Those thick fans will never notice and if anyone kicks off, we will threaten them will legal action, or ban them.

[jim mk2]

Why would any CEO or club award a 3.5 year contract to a manager with Ismael's dismal record (Barnsley excepted where even there he reaped the reward of the previous manager's work) ?

Or even employ him at all?

He's clearly a dud and the only conclusion, stated by others previously, is that he was available and cheap

By the end of the season in May he'll have been at Rovers about 15 months, which will be his longest of any club in his managerial career. And will he be sacked if he leads us to relegation - of course he won't

 

 

[lraC]

3 minutes ago, jim mk2 said:

Why would any CEO or club award a 3.5 year contract to a manager with Ismael's dismal record (Barnsley excepted where even there he reaped the reward of the previous manager's work) ?

Or even employ him at all?

He's clearly a dud and the only conclusion, stated by others previously, is that he was available and cheap

By the end of the season in May he'll have been at Rovers about 15 months, which will be his longest of any club in his managerial career. And will he be sacked if he leads us to relegation - of course he won't

 

 

Let's just say, his face fits and that's the criteria right now sadly.

I understand that we have a new player liaison office too, whose face, also probably fits, as there was nothing wrong with our previous one. 

[Hasta]

2 hours ago, Torsinho said:

As with many things in life, two things are true at once here:

1. VI is a terrible coach, one of my friends who covers the large European leagues for a podcast, shared his heart-felt condolences when he was hired.

2. The squad is rubbish - I'd argue very few, if any, coaches could succeed when you replace experienced Championship-level players with complete unknowns from smaller leagues. Could a better coach get better results? Probably. The season as a whole would still be struggle.

I agree on both counts.

The problem is an ambitious coach brought in to do the best job he can for the football club would be pushing behind the scenes for better players, and improved budget, better structure. JDT and JE clearly both did.

I think Ismael is complicit in allowing the squad to be decimated. I think this was stipulated to him as the plan when Rovers employed him from off the scrapheap, which is why if results continue as they are I won't give him the slack that some may think he deserves. He's replaced Waggot as the third stooge.

Edited 1 hour ago by Hasta

[davulsukur]

11 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Ismael's managerial career to date, starting in 2014:

Nuremburg - 5 months and 14 games

Wolfsburg - 4 months and 17 games

Apollon Smyrnis - 3 months and 1 game

LASK - 14 months and 50 games

Barnsley - 8 months and 44 games

WBA - 8 months and 31 games

Besiktas - 7 months and 19 games

Watford - 10 months and 41 games

Average tenure - 7.3 months

Average games - 27

Rovers - 7 months and 19 games (and counting).

Within a few weeks he will have eclipsed his average tenure at a club and with another 8 matches will have matched his average games in charge at a club. 

Most of the above decided to sack him - infact the only one he walked away from voluntarily I think was Barnsley to take up the WBA offer. 

Gestede and Pasha in their infinite wisdom decided to give him a 3.5 year contract. 

We're also the joint, 2nd lowest goal scorers in the league. Sheff Utd are the lowest (mental) but they will overtake us in no time.

Worryingly, we've only scored 5 goals in 6 games and 3 of those came in the same game. 

[lraC]

1 minute ago, davulsukur said:

We're also the joint, 2nd lowest goal scorers in the league. Sheff Utd are the lowest (mental) but they will overtake us in no time.

Worryingly, we've only scored 5 goals in 6 games and 3 of those came in the same game. 

At least it was an exciting summer though.

[KentExile]

18 minutes ago, lraC said:

Let's just say, his face fits and that's the criteria right now sadly.

I understand that we have a new player liaison office too, whose face, also probably fits, as there was nothing wrong with our previous one. 

We are today advertising for a new "Team Operations Manager", whose role includes "being responsible for all logistical administration at the Senior Training Centre for all senior training centre staff including coaches and players."  That seems to have a bit of overlap with a "player liaison officer" doesn't it?

https://www.rovers.co.uk/club/job-vacancies/

 

They are also advertising for an "emerging talent coach" for the women's team, who will be contracted to 2 hours a week

Edited 1 hour ago by KentExile

[lraC]

11 minutes ago, KentExile said:

We are today advertising for a new "Team Operations Manager", whose role includes "being responsible for all logistical administration at the Senior Training Centre for all senior training centre staff including coaches and players."  That seems to have a bit of overlap with a "player liaison officer" doesn't it?

https://www.rovers.co.uk/club/job-vacancies/

 

They are also advertising for an "emerging talent coach" for the women's team, who will be contracted to 2 hours a week

It remains to be seen who we appoint for that.

I am not too sure if many are aware, as I have not seen it mentioned anywhere, but here is the new player care officer. Not too sure what was wrong with the last one mind, but perhaps others may know. 

 

 

Kasom ShahKasom Shah • 2nd2ndFirst Team Player Care Officer at Blackburn Rovers FC | BSc Sport & Exercise Science | PGCE Qualified | Passionate about Learning & DevelopmentFirst Team Player Care Officer at Blackburn Rovers FC | BSc Sport & Exercise Science | PGCE Qualified | Passionate about Learning & Development4w •  0 months ago • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn

Follow

🕐 8 weeks ago I started a new role at Blackburn Rovers FC as First Team Player Care Officer which has been brilliant so far!

🏠 Having been in and around elite football from a young age, I always knew my ambition was to contribute at the highest level. Player care at first-team level is different, but the focus remains the same: building genuine relationships so players and staff know you’re there to support and progress with them.

🇪🇸🇳🇱 Pre-season gave me the perfect chance to do that, with the Spain tour and trip to NEC Nijmegen. Both experiences helped me get to know players as people, their families, backgrounds and preferences - and made the transition smoother.
 

📝 A big part of my role has been leading on summer signings, from arrivals to inductions. Being a trusted contact, especially for those moving abroad, has been something I’ve really enjoyed. Helping players feel settled off the pitch is key to them performing on it.

📈 It’s also been great to welcome the FA, PGMOL and PFA into the training ground, with exciting conversations around personal development that I'm sure will grow across the season.

😁 Highlight so far? Our first league win away at Hull City - proof of the hard work across the environment paying off.

🙏 Huge thanks to everyone at Blackburn, external organisations and my friends/family who’ve helped me settle so quickly. I’m motivated by how aligned we are in building a culture of excellence, care and professionalism - excited for what’s ahead! ⚽️

[rigger]

2 minutes ago, lraC said:

It remains to be seen who we appoint for that.

I am not too sure if many are aware, as I have not seen it mentioned anywhere, but here is the new player care officer. Not too sure what was wrong with the last one mind, but perhaps others may know. 

 

 

Kasom ShahKasom Shah • 2nd2ndFirst Team Player Care Officer at Blackburn Rovers FC | BSc Sport & Exercise Science | PGCE Qualified | Passionate about Learning & DevelopmentFirst Team Player Care Officer at Blackburn Rovers FC | BSc Sport & Exercise Science | PGCE Qualified | Passionate about Learning & Development4w •  0 months ago • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn

Follow

🕐 8 weeks ago I started a new role at Blackburn Rovers FC as First Team Player Care Officer which has been brilliant so far!

🏠 Having been in and around elite football from a young age, I always knew my ambition was to contribute at the highest level. Player care at first-team level is different, but the focus remains the same: building genuine relationships so players and staff know you’re there to support and progress with them.

🇪🇸🇳🇱 Pre-season gave me the perfect chance to do that, with the Spain tour and trip to NEC Nijmegen. Both experiences helped me get to know players as people, their families, backgrounds and preferences - and made the transition smoother.
 

📝 A big part of my role has been leading on summer signings, from arrivals to inductions. Being a trusted contact, especially for those moving abroad, has been something I’ve really enjoyed. Helping players feel settled off the pitch is key to them performing on it.

📈 It’s also been great to welcome the FA, PGMOL and PFA into the training ground, with exciting conversations around personal development that I'm sure will grow across the season.

😁 Highlight so far? Our first league win away at Hull City - proof of the hard work across the environment paying off.

🙏 Huge thanks to everyone at Blackburn, external organisations and my friends/family who’ve helped me settle so quickly. I’m motivated by how aligned we are in building a culture of excellence, care and professionalism - excited for what’s ahead! ⚽️

He is either gullible or full of bullshit.

[JHRover]

'Alignment' claxon again!

[lraC]

I suspect the latter. 

[Ghost7]

Brittain's exit was telling on the manager front, had worked with him previously and was still desperate to join Rob Edward's side after a phone call. He absolutely has to start getting more wins but I'm not sure it's what he's being measured on. In fact I'm not sure he's being measured on anything at this moment in time.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

1 hour ago, lraC said:

It is a definite job for the boys.

 

Just imagine the remuneration he has banked for generally being a failure...great if you can get the gig.