Valérien Ismaël: Blackburn Rovers Head Coach

[Ghost7]

27 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

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

Kids are cheaper, on and off the field and are likely to have never seen it done properly before. Therefore can look up to the likes of Gestede and he can say whatever he wants.

[G Somerset Rover]

17 minutes ago, Ghost7 said:

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.

Don’t rock the boat is the only thing he needs to abide by. Results and performances are secondary by some distance.

[davulsukur]

19 minutes ago, Ghost7 said:

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.

Agreed, very telling.

Not just a reflection on the manager either, clearly hadn't bought into the whole squad rebuild and would rather play his football elsewhere. 

A decision easily vindicated by the fact we're in a relegation battle and he, for now at least, is top of the league.

[roversfan99]

Its hard to gauge how he is perceived overall. He obviously wasnt well received at first but he seemed to charm quite a few over the summer based on what he said. He was "aligned" with this "project" of bringing in players who are already materialising in the main to be a huge downgrade and some seemed to be fooled by it.

I think his record is 6 wins, 3 draws and 10 defeats. He is a poor manager happy to do as he is told and blame everyone else but the club and as such will be here for the duration.

[rog of the rovers]

Through First 18 League Games

Kean, Black, Berg, Appleton - All didn't reach 18 Championship League Games as Rovers boss in the Venkys era

Bowyer

P18 W6 D6 L6 F25 A25 Pts 24 GD 0

Lambert

P18 W6 D5 L7 F18 A17 Pts 23 GD +1

Coyle

P18 W5 D4 L9 F20 A27 Pts 19 GD -7

Mowbray* (* At Championship level)

P18 W6 D9 L3 F20 A18 Pts 27 GD +2

Tomasson

P18 W11 D0 L7 F23 A18 Pts 33 GD +5

Eustace** (** Does not include the Stoke City game - arguments made for and against its conclusion, but most credit the victory to Damien Johnson/David Lowe - despite Eustace already being appointed as manager)

P18 W4 D9 L5 F21 A22 Pts 21 GD -1

Ismael

P18 W6 D3 L9 F19 A22 Pts 21 GD -3

 

In a different era that feels a lifetime ago and just for fun

Souness*** (*** In Division One at the end of 1999/2000 and the start of the 2000/01 season)

P18 W6 D7 L5 F27 A20 Pts 25 GD +7

Edited 4 hours ago by rog of the rovers

[lraC]

The 5 people most likely to cause our relegation this year. It isn’t all down to the manager, but take your choice.

[frosty]

52 minutes ago, rog of the rovers said:

Bowyer

P18 W6 D6 L6 F25 A25 Pts 24 GD 0

 

You don't get more Gary Bowyer than that.

[chaddyrovers]

Is the player liason officer or head of commercial and partnerships going to the people if we go down? @lraC

[lraC]

8 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Is the player liason officer or head of commercial and partnerships going to the people if we go down? @lraC

Not too sure what you mean here, but if you can clarify, I am happy to explain.

[oneandycrawford]

1 hour ago, rog of the rovers said:

Through First 18 League Games

Kean, Black, Berg, Appleton - All didn't reach 18 Championship League Games as Rovers boss in the Venkys era

Bowyer

P18 W6 D6 L6 F25 A25 Pts 24 GD 0

Lambert

P18 W6 D5 L7 F18 A17 Pts 23 GD +1

Coyle

P18 W5 D4 L9 F20 A27 Pts 19 GD -7

Mowbray* (* At Championship level)

P18 W6 D9 L3 F20 A18 Pts 27 GD +2

Tomasson

P18 W11 D0 L7 F23 A18 Pts 33 GD +5

Eustace** (** Does not include the Stoke City game - arguments made for and against its conclusion, but most credit the victory to Damien Johnson/David Lowe - despite Eustace already being appointed as manager)

P18 W4 D9 L5 F21 A22 Pts 21 GD -1

Ismael

P18 W6 D3 L9 F19 A22 Pts 21 GD -3

 

In a different era that feels a lifetime ago and just for fun

Souness*** (*** In Division One at the end of 1999/2000 and the start of the 2000/01 season)

P18 W6 D7 L5 F27 A20 Pts 25 GD +7

So JDT 'shit or bust' style was the most successful!

 

I know there were a lot of issues with Mowbray's reign - particularly towards the end - but his record in taking over a plummeting team (under Coyle) and almost keeping us up doesn't look too shabby on comparison with the others.

[lraC]

1 minute ago, oneandycrawford said:

So JDT 'shit or bust' style was the most successful!

 

I know there were a lot of issues with Mowbray's reign - particularly towards the end - but his record in taking over a plummeting team (under Coyle) and almost keeping us up doesn't look too shabby on comparison with the others.

I actually firmly believe that Mowbray was wrongly targeted about the relegation, as he had a very good return during his stint in charge that season and had it not been for the match fixing, between Huddersfield and Big club, he would have kept us up.

[Mike Graham]

2 hours 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

Two hours per week!!  Is that 2 hours before or after the lunch break?

[chaddyrovers]

26 minutes ago, lraC said:

Not too sure what you mean here, but if you can clarify, I am happy to explain.

Sure, is the player liason officer or head of commercial and partnerships going to the people to blame if we go down? What role have they play in his going down? 

[chaddyrovers]

3 hours 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

We are advertising for new under 21's head coach. 

[lraC]

12 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Sure, is the player liason officer or head of commercial and partnerships going to the people to blame if we go down? What role have they play in his going down? 

Thanks for clarifying.

The player liaison officer has posted the following on his linkedin page:

🕐 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.

given this and the number of foreign players we have signed, I think he will play a vital role on getting these players settled and able to perform.

with regards to the head of commercial and partnerships, bringing in extra funds and fans, could be vital, especially in the January window, as a vital signing could be brought in or missed, dependent on his success.

Granted these two will not be a responsible as the other 3 especially the manager, but none the less, it is important that they perform their duties to the best they can.

Hope that answers the question.

[KentExile]

9 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

We are advertising for new under 21's head coach. 

yep, they mentioned that after Sheron went, so I didn't think it worth mentioning again

[chaddyrovers]

3 minutes ago, KentExile said:

yep, they mentioned that after Sheron went, so I didn't think it worth mentioning again

Will be interesting who we appoint to that role. 

[KentExile]

18 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Will be interesting who we appoint to that role. 

If Darragh Tuffy and Paul Butler hadn't essentially switched jobs during the summer, I would have expected it would have been an internal promotion, can't remember the last time it wasnt

Sheron was an internal promotion

Billy Barr before him also

Damien Johnson, was with our U14s before taking the then U23s manager job is 2015

Who was before Johnson?  I forget... was it Gary Bowyer?  If so  he was another internal promotion

Edited 2 hours ago by KentExile

[Roverthechimp]

3 hours ago, Ghost7 said:

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

Yeah - doesn't sound at all like a schoolkid on work experience! (also - Paul Whitehouse anyone... 😁)

[KentExile]

36 minutes ago, Roverthechimp said:

Yeah - doesn't sound at all like a schoolkid on work experience! (also - Paul Whitehouse anyone... 😁)

He has loads of experience 😉 

He held the same post at Accy last season from March until May, no I am not joking

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasom-shah/

Before that he was a tutor, again for Accrington, he finished his studies himself in  the summer of 2024

Edited 1 hour ago by KentExile

[Leonard Venkhater]

6 hours ago, Mike Graham said:

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.

This is a huge concern.

It smells of a closed culture, which marginalises/silences anyone, who challenges or criticises the current path, which is risking our championship status.....again...

You can see Suhail is very prickly, even when questioned in a supporters meeting. As is typical of such "managers", he appoints a clone, who behaves in a similar way...

Meanwhile, the club's media department goes into overdrive...

I watched that recent (pathetic) in house interview and I felt physically sick...

[Leonard Venkhater]

5 hours ago, rigger said:

He is either gullible or full of bullshit.

Meanwhile, in other news,  our local priest has left and the church gardener is doing the Sunday service....

[M_B]

4 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Its hard to gauge how he is perceived overall. He obviously wasnt well received at first but he seemed to charm quite a few over the summer based on what he said. He was "aligned" with this "project" of bringing in players who are already materialising in the main to be a huge downgrade and some seemed to be fooled by it.

I think his record is 6 wins, 3 draws and 10 defeats. He is a poor manager happy to do as he is told and blame everyone else but the club and as such will be here for the duration.

Who has he blamed, and for what ? 

[Hasta]

5 minutes ago, M_B said:

Who has he blamed, and for what ? 

Referee on Saturday for not giving a penalty (which I don’t think it was) and for winking. 

The interviewer almost scoffed before he then put him further on the spot and said “despite that, did you see enough from your players”.