Valérien Ismaël: Blackburn Rovers Head Coach

[roversfan99]

He has spent all season making excuses, and didnt look internally when this happened the first time. 

Fair play to him for having a go today though, not only at the embarassing pitch situation but also a little go at the structure of the club too with too many "heads of." He is spot on.

Anyway, who do people want as the next manager? One thing Venkys and the board dont like, its stuff like this.

[Jimmy612]

Just now, roversfan99 said:

He has spent all season making excuses, and didnt look internally when this happened the first time. 

Fair play to him for having a go today though, not only at the embarassing pitch situation but also a little go at the structure of the club too with too many "heads of." He is spot on.

Anyway, who do people want as the next manager? One thing Venkys and the board dont like, its stuff like this.

Haha, be quite funny if they sacked him, but there's no chance.  They won't be paying up a 3-year contract. 

[blondie]

What a completely dysfunctional club, won 2 tickets for 95 club, can't wait for Gestede and Suhail prancing around,I might be having a word.

[SuperBrfc]

5 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

He has spent all season making excuses, and didnt look internally when this happened the first time. 

Fair play to him for having a go today though, not only at the embarassing pitch situation but also a little go at the structure of the club too with too many "heads of." He is spot on.

Anyway, who do people want as the next manager? One thing Venkys and the board dont like, its stuff like this.

I knew it wouldn't be long before Ismael revealed his true feelings. Fair play to him.

I'm calling it early...I think Lee Bowyer is going to be our next manager. He has the right connections and he has Championship experience.

He has just left Montserrat and is out of work. I'm not saying I want him, but just making an early prediction based on certain patterns.

[Penwortham Blue]

41 minutes ago, roverblue said:

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25681585.valerien-ismael-sends-ewood-park-message-blackburn-rovers/

 

He has finally broke ranks with the morons in the boardroom, gone up in my estimation.

Sounds like unless he gets answers, he could be following JDT and Eustace. Resign and constructive dismissal claim for the remaining years of contract !

[JHRover]

Ismael's average game tenure as a manager across 8 clubs prior to Rovers is 27.

His Rovers tenure is already at 31. So he's above average already here. 

Under Venkys the average managerial tenure (excluding Kean, Bowyer and Mowbray who established personal links to the gruesome people in Pune) is around 7-8 months. Those who haven't been afforded holidays to Pune to visit the palace don't last very long. 

Allardyce got 24 days, Berg got less than 2 months, Appleton got just over 2 months.

Lambert got under 6 months, Coyle got 8 months, Tomasson got less than 20 months (and tried getting out after 12 months), Eustace got 12 months (and rumour has it was trying/offering to get out after only 3-4 months). 

Ismael has nearly managed 10 months now, he's had no jolly trip to India so he's done well to last this long. Won't be around much longer though, both his and Venky records show that. 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by JHRover

[Mike Graham]

VI is well and truly having a go now.  This is from Radio Lancs / LT…..

Valerien Ismael says Blackburn Rovers must invest in Ewood Park's pitch after labelling the Sheffield Wednesday abandonment 'embarrassing'.

It is the second time this season that Rovers have been unable to complete a home fixture due to heavy rainfall. Understandably, the 36-year-old Ewood Park surface has come under scrutiny after the weekend.

Ismael has called on those in charge at Rovers to provide a clear plan of action to prevent any further issues. He believes money must be invested to provide peace of mind to staff, players and supporters.

"I am not the right person to give you an explanation," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Normally, it would be someone else here to explain what's happened. We have a lot of 'head of' in the club. Groundkeeping or someone from the board to give an explanation.

"I am like you, I'd like to understand. Like the players, like the fans. Why has this happened again? We were in a good position, especially when we spoke about creating something positive with the fans in home games after the Ipswich game.

"Now to be ahead, four points in two home games, would be great for us. Especially with a lot of games. Now we are sitting there with a situation that has happened again and I think everyone has the right to have some clarity, some guarantees, why has this happened again?

"What is the plan? Especially in the near future to make sure that money is invested to renew the pitch. It's as simple as that. I want guarantees I can do my job properly, the players need guarantees to do their job properly and the fans when they pay to see a game, they want to see a full 90 minutes and not have to go home with a big frustration.

"I am sitting here not knowing exactly what the next step is. It's not my job to explain that. Someone else has to stand up and show up and explain to the people why it's happened again."

Ismael conceded his is concerned whether Tuesday night's fixture with Oxford United will go ahead. Heavy rainfall has been forecast this week which is causing the head coach further concern.

"We have had no meetings," he continued.

"We had an explanation of what will happen the game in terms of rescheduling the game. It's another game on the schedule, another load for the players.

"My problem is this is happening again since Ipswich. I want a clear plan, clarity as to what the problem is and what the plan is. 'We can't renew the pitch now but in the summer we'll invest but this is the solution'. This is what is missing: a clear plan.

"It will happen again. If you see tomorrow, we see the forecast. The weather won't be nice. We don't know and that's terrible.

"It's pressure on your mind to see it's a home game, a rainy day and you don't know what will happen. It's a long-term issue which we have to think about.

"We need clarity. The players, the staff, the fans, the EFL. Everyone needs a reliable answer to make sure this embarrassing situation can't carry on."

Remarkably, Ismael even said he would sacrifice money to spend in the transfer market to ensure the Ewood Park pitch is rectified.

"I think it's an emergency call now.

"This is something we can control. You can't control the weather but you can renew the pitch. It's something you can control. It was a problem before me, it's a problem now and I hope it won't be a problem in the future anymore.

"If I can do anything to help, I will do it. If I can influence it, if we have to save money in the transfer market to add money to get a new pitch, I'd be the first person to do it. If I have to sacrifice that for the better of the club and the pitch, I will do it.

"I want to see everyone happy. Fans coming into the stadium and seeing the game until the end. I want to see my players getting their reward throughout the 90 minutes.

"If it's something I can do, I'll do it. We need a clear plan on the table for everyone to follow and understand."

Edited 1 hour ago by Mike Graham

[B16Rover]

56 minutes ago, roverblue said:

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25681585.valerien-ismael-sends-ewood-park-message-blackburn-rovers/

 

He has finally broke ranks with the morons in the boardroom, gone up in my estimation.

Does he not know 'head of placating fans' pie squabbler Nixon has already appeased the fan base?

[StHelensRover]

It's only taken him the best part of ten months to realise what a circus this is and to speak out against our overlords' reign of error.

If he'd spent less time constantly blaming individual players and referees for everything wrong at this football club, he might have learned with great sadness as I have, that almost everything bad that happens at this football club is self-inflicted.

Double-down Valerien and tell them where to shove the endless excuses and inaction. 3 years salary up for grabs for you if they don't listen. 

Edited 1 hour ago by StHelensRover

[wilsdenrover]

31 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

He has spent all season making excuses, and didnt look internally when this happened the first time. 

Fair play to him for having a go today though, not only at the embarassing pitch situation but also a little go at the structure of the club too with too many "heads of." He is spot on.

Anyway, who do people want as the next manager? One thing Venkys and the board dont like, it’s stuff like this.

They don’t think they need a CEO.

Maybe they’ll try a no manager approach too.

[wilsdenrover]

23 minutes ago, blondie said:

What a completely dysfunctional club, won 2 tickets for 95 club, can't wait for Gestede and Suhail prancing around,I might be having a word.

Have two, make the second ‘off’.

[Groundhog]

And there we have it - the minute Ismael endears himself to the fans and openly (perhaps bravely) expresses his frustration and confusion, almost on behalf of the fanbase, he thus signs his own death warrant. 

1 step forward, 2 back. The Venky's Way.

 

[...]

This is what I wanted to see off him. A bite back at the hierarchy.

Are there better managers than Val?

Of course there is.

Can I get behind someone that fights for the club and fans? 

You're damn right.

Perhaps now they can finally see that not only are the fans against them, the players are unhappy and now their 'shopfloor yes man' is having a pop. I'd keep Val another season based on his pushbacks.

Edited 1 hour ago by ...

[roversfan99]

I wish he hadnt offered to reduce the transfer budget to compensate although I understand its just him stressing the importance.

It should be either or. We badly need new players and a suitable pitch. 

[TugaysMarlboro]

So as far as Val knows, they haven't even thought about Tuesdays fixture.

Even he's had the foresight to look at the weather report and see it's going to be shite.

Brilliant.

Edited 47 minutes ago by TugaysMarlboro

[Lancaster Rover]

Well that’s VI just signed his P45

[rock steady]

[aletheia]

So how does it play out? Thinking aloud…

Thinking about it does VI know already know what RG and SP think and possibly accepted it? That is, we will do the ground (at some stage) but will cut back elsewhere (player wages, transfers etc). That is, no new spend. And if we get deducted points, we’ll have to take it?

Probably, business as usual. Fans get irate, managers gets irate, Pasha just rides it out.

Won’t sack VI –too costly. Won’t spend money on pitch unless cut backs elsewhere.

[aletheia]

3 minutes ago, Lancaster Rover said:

Well that’s VI just signed his P45

You would think so but JE and JDT had to virtually break out of the place.

[RevidgeBlue]

Said this on the other thread but on what planet is that him signing his P45?

He's basically said "The pitch needs sorting out but it's ok guys, I don't mind if you take it out of the January transfer budget instead".

I'm sure he's aware spending on the pitch would have no FFP implications.

Fuck off Ismael with the rest of them. 

[lraC]

45 minutes ago, Mike Graham said:

VI is well and truly having a go now.  This is from Radio Lancs / LT…..

Valerien Ismael says Blackburn Rovers must invest in Ewood Park's pitch after labelling the Sheffield Wednesday abandonment 'embarrassing'.

It is the second time this season that Rovers have been unable to complete a home fixture due to heavy rainfall. Understandably, the 36-year-old Ewood Park surface has come under scrutiny after the weekend.

Ismael has called on those in charge at Rovers to provide a clear plan of action to prevent any further issues. He believes money must be invested to provide peace of mind to staff, players and supporters.

"I am not the right person to give you an explanation," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Normally, it would be someone else here to explain what's happened. We have a lot of 'head of' in the club. Groundkeeping or someone from the board to give an explanation.

"I am like you, I'd like to understand. Like the players, like the fans. Why has this happened again? We were in a good position, especially when we spoke about creating something positive with the fans in home games after the Ipswich game.

"Now to be ahead, four points in two home games, would be great for us. Especially with a lot of games. Now we are sitting there with a situation that has happened again and I think everyone has the right to have some clarity, some guarantees, why has this happened again?

"What is the plan? Especially in the near future to make sure that money is invested to renew the pitch. It's as simple as that. I want guarantees I can do my job properly, the players need guarantees to do their job properly and the fans when they pay to see a game, they want to see a full 90 minutes and not have to go home with a big frustration.

"I am sitting here not knowing exactly what the next step is. It's not my job to explain that. Someone else has to stand up and show up and explain to the people why it's happened again."

Ismael conceded his is concerned whether Tuesday night's fixture with Oxford United will go ahead. Heavy rainfall has been forecast this week which is causing the head coach further concern.

"We have had no meetings," he continued.

"We had an explanation of what will happen the game in terms of rescheduling the game. It's another game on the schedule, another load for the players.

"My problem is this is happening again since Ipswich. I want a clear plan, clarity as to what the problem is and what the plan is. 'We can't renew the pitch now but in the summer we'll invest but this is the solution'. This is what is missing: a clear plan.

"It will happen again. If you see tomorrow, we see the forecast. The weather won't be nice. We don't know and that's terrible.

"It's pressure on your mind to see it's a home game, a rainy day and you don't know what will happen. It's a long-term issue which we have to think about.

"We need clarity. The players, the staff, the fans, the EFL. Everyone needs a reliable answer to make sure this embarrassing situation can't carry on."

Remarkably, Ismael even said he would sacrifice money to spend in the transfer market to ensure the Ewood Park pitch is rectified.

"I think it's an emergency call now.

"This is something we can control. You can't control the weather but you can renew the pitch. It's something you can control. It was a problem before me, it's a problem now and I hope it won't be a problem in the future anymore.

"If I can do anything to help, I will do it. If I can influence it, if we have to save money in the transfer market to add money to get a new pitch, I'd be the first person to do it. If I have to sacrifice that for the better of the club and the pitch, I will do it.

"I want to see everyone happy. Fans coming into the stadium and seeing the game until the end. I want to see my players getting their reward throughout the 90 minutes.

"If it's something I can do, I'll do it. We need a clear plan on the table for everyone to follow and understand."

This is the first time, I have heard anything from him, that I respect and fait play to him.

Over to you Suhail

[bob fleming]

58 minutes ago, Jimmy612 said:

Haha, be quite funny if they sacked him, but there's no chance.  They won't be paying up a 3-year contract. 

Normally contracts aren't paid up like that in football, it's until the end of the season, or perhaps 12 months of which. That's what I thought was the case anyway. Of course with Henning Berg that didn't happen and the club were taught an expensive lesson when they had to pay him in full when they sacked him after just 10 games in charge. You'd have to be a complete and utter negligent moron to allow that to happen again wouldn't you?

[Tomphil2]

Finally realised what he's working for and might now have a better grasp of why after 15 years of similar nonsense hardly anyone turns up.

And why a lot of those that do are always ready to turn.

Yet again alongside the ownership ONE man is a constant theme, where is he ?

[JHRover]

Hard to believe in 2025 that a Championship manager in the middle of December is publicly offering to cut his transfer budget to free up cash to allow the pitch to be repaired to ensure we can finish our home games when it rains.

But this is Venky Rovers 2025, expect the unexpected. 

Just when you think the shame and embarrassment of being associated with this club cannot grow we have internal shenanigans playing out in the media once again, a p1ssed off manager and no doubt players demanding answers and action from a silent and invisible ownership and board.

To make matters even worse we continue to have thousands of supporters who sit there like nodding dogs in the stands insisting that these owners are good or necessary to the future of this club, whilst the stadium rots around them and the pitch descends into a swamp and we can't finish home games.

 

[CrouchingNunhiddenCucumber]

Fair play to Val, he's come out strongly there with questions that need to be asked and highlighting the responsibility vacuum within the hierarchy at the club.

If he didnt know what he signed up for at Venky Rovers he certainly does now.