2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[lraC]

6 minutes ago, arbitro said:

This is not as enlightening as Glen's post but I was told last week that all the meat bought in for the STC and Academy is now Halal at the insistence of Gestede.

No surprise there to be honest I do wonder if the arms uncovered story is down to some religious belief too.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

2 minutes ago, lraC said:

That's exactly what I was thinking around 4.00am this morning, as I struggled to sleep due to this lot.

Any self respecting person, would steam into the office this morning, play holy roaring fuck and shove their contract right up Gestede's and Pasha's arses.

I feel like doing it myself and I am just a fan.

Why would he do that though?

val should have known this was on the cards the previous 2 managers have been shafted it can’t come as a surprise to him 

he’s the yes man they wanted. In his next interview he will recycle the usual spiel about transition period is now / have to knuckle down and back the team / new model / more assets / previous mistakes 

and I’d say the kicker will be they might try an push this Jan window as some sort of olive branch to the fans stating we will have money to strengthen etc 

but you are right any manager with self respect would be straight into gestede this morning demanding answers 

[Emerald Isle Rover]

2 minutes ago, lraC said:

No surprise there to be honest I do wonder if the arms uncovered story is down to some religious belief too.

It can’t really be as it’s a form of discrimination in the work place 

[lraC]

Just now, Emerald Isle Rover said:

Why would he do that though?

val should have known this was on the cards the previous 2 managers have been shafted it can’t come as a surprise to him 

he’s the yes man they wanted. In his next interview he will recycle the usual spiel about transition period is now / have to knuckle down and back the team / new model / more assets / previous mistakes 

and I’d say the kicker will be they might try an push this Jan window as some sort of olive branch to the fans stating we will have money to strengthen etc 

but you are right any manager with self respect would be straight into gestede this morning demanding answers 

He won't and that's why I said, any self respecting manager, as I believe him to be as big a part if it as Gestede and Pasha. 

[JHRover]

Venkys 'got away' with it before because people focused their energy / attention on subordinates - Kean, Singh, Shaw, Waggott, Coyle, now its Gestede and Suhail. 

Whilst I fully accept that those subordinates are a symptom of the problem and need addressing urgently as they should be nowhere near running a Championship football club - we must not lose sight of the ultimate control here.

One thing that concerns me is that when, eventually, Gestede is moved aside and made into the fall guy for the latest disaster, that people think everything will get sorted out and that there is a future with Venkys once they employ someone better to run the show at Ewood. 

Isn't happening folks. Our problems will remain for as long as they do. This is all happening on their watch.

[Ossydave]

13 minutes ago, arbitro said:

This is not as enlightening as Glen's post but I was told last week that all the meat bought in for the STC and Academy is now Halal at the insistence of Gestede.

Believe they also have to pay now or at least contribute. Decisions like that in my experience usually point towards a business going bust, but in our case its possibly just Rudy being a cunt.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

15 minutes ago, arbitro said:

This is not as enlightening as Glen's post but I was told last week that all the meat bought in for the STC and Academy is now Halal at the insistence of Gestede.

So religious laws being enforced here?...Women being asked to cover their Arms and Food going Halal.

Is there still the freedom of choice,WTF is going on here!?😲

[jim mk2]

27 minutes ago, wilsdenrover said:

Neither JDT or JE would have accepted that window.

Will VI?

If he does then I’d say he’s part of the problem. 

 

Ismael is part of the problem in that, like most of the players, he isn't very good

He made it a bit of name for himself at Barnsley but, as been pointed out, he benefited there from the good work done by the previous manager.  In his 14 year managerial / coaching career he's been at 10 clubs. He's never been anywhere longer than 2 seasons

Will he walk or will he be sacked? Either way, he's unlikely to be here very long

And so it goes on, lurching from one crisis to another

[Emerald Isle Rover]

9 minutes ago, lraC said:

He won't and that's why I said, any self respecting manager, as I believe him to be as big a part if it as Gestede and Pasha. 

I don’t think he’s part of ot I just think he’s happy to be employed and collect a wage 

[G Somerset Rover]

12 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Venkys 'got away' with it before because people focused their energy / attention on subordinates - Kean, Singh, Shaw, Waggott, Coyle, now its Gestede and Suhail. 

Whilst I fully accept that those subordinates are a symptom of the problem and need addressing urgently as they should be nowhere near running a Championship football club - we must not lose sight of the ultimate control here.

One thing that concerns me is that when, eventually, Gestede is moved aside and made into the fall guy for the latest disaster, that people think everything will get sorted out and that there is a future with Venkys once they employ someone better to run the show at Ewood. 

Isn't happening folks. Our problems will remain for as long as they do. This is all happening on their watch.

This is why I am surprised it seems all focus is now on Gestede. When he eventually gets pushed aside, two constants remain: Venkys AND Suhail.

Edited 5 hours ago by G Somerset Rover

[alexanders]

1 hour ago, JBiz said:

I’m sure this has been done already but just to ease my train boredom this morning;

Goalkeepers; Toth or pears

Fullbacks, Right; Alebiosu or Gardner-Hickman, Left; Ribeiro or Pickering

Centrebacks - Miller, Carter, Wharton, Mcloughlin

Centre Midfield - Tronstad, Tavares, Baradgi, Montgomery and Forshaw

Attacking Midfield - Cantwell and Henriksson

Wings - Hedges, Morishita, Kargbo and De neve 

Forwards - Ohashi, Gudjohnson, Gueye

Backups outside of this with a first team app;

Michalski Gk

Garret CM

Tyjon AM

There may be some others I’ve missed with league experience in the u21s but I find that squad depth in two key areas really worrying - particularly CB and CM

Gardner-Hickman shone under Ismael playing CM. Hardworking midfielder with lots of defensive attributes. Perfect if we are going to deploy defensive midfielders.  

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

1 minute ago, Emerald Isle Rover said:

I don’t think he’s part of ot I just think he’s happy to be employed and collect a wage 

He's a willing accomplice and just happy to take the remuneration,its a disastrous situation make no mistake.

[joey_big_nose]

5 minutes ago, Ossydave said:

Believe they also have to pay now or at least contribute. Decisions like that in my experience usually point towards a business going bust, but in our case its possibly just Rudy being a cunt.

While I am sure what Glen is right about Gestede, the real driver of the squad turnover and making players pay for their food is ultimately massive cost reduction targets.

I think it would be fair to say finishing 21st but breaking even would be viewed as more of a success than finishing 3rd, losing the playoff final, but making a loss. 

[CrouchingNunhiddenCucumber]

1 hour ago, JBiz said:

Also - I wonder if this is a squad that’s now less than 100% wage to turnover? I think the last accounts had us at 120% but it would definitely point towards potential for @joey_big_nose suggestions that this is the “start of that story”

It's the hope that kills you 

[Leonard Venkhater]

21 minutes ago, lraC said:

No surprise there to be honest I do wonder if the arms uncovered story is down to some religious belief too.

Tattoos?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

17 minutes ago, jim mk2 said:

 

Ismael is part of the problem in that, like most of the players, he isn't very good

He made it a bit of name for himself at Barnsley but, as been pointed out, he benefited there from the good work done by the previous manager.  In his 14 year managerial / coaching career he's been at 10 clubs. He's never been anywhere longer than 2 seasons

Will he walk or will he be sacked? Either way, he's unlikely to be here very long

And so it goes on, lurching from one crisis to another

This more than Travis leaving is the “ Ken Knighton “ moment for me. The time we run the white flag up the flag pole.

[CambridgeRover]

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2014/october/getting-personal-with-rudy-gestede/
 

don’t worry lads he says twice that he really dislikes disrespectful arrogant and selfish people

[Tomphil2]

42 minutes ago, arbitro said:

This is not as enlightening as Glen's post but I was told last week that all the meat bought in for the STC and Academy is now Halal at the insistence of Gestede.

There are other agendas at play here i suspect.

How many British players have been shown the door now ?

Who is replacing the backroom/club staff who've been shunted out ?

Why does Gestede appear to have more power than anyone before him ?

How long before Jurdan Ali finally turns up here.....

Edited 4 hours ago by Tomphil2

[alexanders]

Valérien Ismaël

2

BlackburnManager  ChampionshipAppointed: 25.02.2025Contract until: 30.06.2028

imago images

+

• Date of birth/Age: 28.09.1975 (49)
• Place of birth:  Strasbourg
• Citizenship:  France

• Coaching Licence : UEFA Pro Licence
• Avg. term as coach : 0.68 Years
• Preferred formation : 4-2-3-1

Former player:

Last club : Hannover 96Most games for : R. StrasbourgRetired : 01.07.2009

• Profile
• History
• Stats 
   
• Personal Record 
   
• Manager career 
   
• Players used
• achievements
• News
•  

Current club
Blackburn

Current job
Manager

Citizenship
 France

Age
49

•  
  IMAGO

 

Personal Details

Name in Home Country / Full Name:	Valérien Alexandre Ismaël
Date of birth/Age:	28.09.1975 (49)
Place of Birth:	Strasbourg
Citizenship:	France   Guadeloupe
Avg. term as coach:	0.68 Years
Coaching Licence:	UEFA Pro Licence
Preferred formation:	4-2-3-1
Agent:	Unique Sports Group

Stats 25/26

 

Competition	Matches	W	D	L	Points	PPM
Total:	5	1	0	4	3	0.60
Championship	4	1	-	3	3	0.75
EFL Cup	1	-	-	1	-	0.00

History

 This is an overview of the career of a manager.

Compact

Detailed

 

Club & role		Appointed	In charge until	Matches	PPM
	Blackburn Manager	24/25 (25.02.2025)	expected 30.06.2028	17	1.06
	Watford Manager	23/24 (01.07.2023)	23/24 (09.03.2024)	41	1.20
	Besiktas Manager	21/22 (25.03.2022)	22/23 (26.10.2022)	18	1.72
	West Brom Manager	21/22 (01.07.2021)	21/22 (02.02.2022)	31	1.45
	Barnsley Manager	20/21 (25.10.2020)	20/21 (30.06.2021)	44	1.84

 

 

He has a way to go in PPM

[TimmyJimmy]

So much sense being posted.

Suhail Shaikh and RG, the master and his emissary or perhaps the dark lord and Gothmog (chief orc) depending on your taste.

After 15 years we know that nothing will change - ever. There's no amount of nashing of teeth or wailing going to change anything - the moving finger writes and having writ moves on. Done.

Only the nuclear option remains and that's what I've taken. Rovers will always be my passion but I'm done. I'm not going to any matches, not buying any merch, not subscribing to any channels.  It's for you to examine your consciences and decide for yourselves but that's me done - yes even if we got promoted.

An empty ground is the only visible evidence to the world that something is rotten at the heart of Rovers.

It won't happen of course but at least my conscience is clear, they'll get no more of my money.

Perhaps me walking away is an example of what Suhail Shaikh meant when talking about his strategy of 'cutting the head off the snake" - I don't care, I'm no longer associating myself with his destruction of my club (and our club).

It will hurt loads but that's what I'm doing.

Still passionate, still Rovers through and through but now absentee along with my family.

[RoverDom]

I wonder how much we spend on hush money as a club? I get it if youre a lower level employee, we've all got families to feed and bills to pay, I just hope that one day they pick on the wrong person who then takes them to a very costly employment tribunal and / or goes public. They need to pick on someone like Glen who knows his shit, can back up his points and knows how to tread carefully regarding what can have him in court for liable. 

 

Has anyone else seen glassdoor jobs where you can semi-anonymously review your employer. Might be worth some of our ex employees thinking about... 

[bb1rover]

9 hours ago, glen9mullan said:

This was never about contracts 

This is ALL on Rudy gestede, his treatment of staff and players and total arrogance.

This started in the last summer when JE invited Weimann to train at Rovers to earn a contract. Gestede hit the roof and wanted him off the training ground.

JE convinced Waggott Weimann could do a job, against Gestedes wishes. That was the beginning of the end of JE and Gestedes relationship.

The day JE left Weimann was summoned by Gestede and informed his days at Rovers were over. Weimann opted to then have a little op to ensure he could get new club in summer.

This was pure spite by Gestede as he didn't forgive JE for bringing Weimann in.

Gestede then pushed a number of employees out the door for none performance related issues . One employee due to not covering her arms at the training ground.

Ive spoken to a number of employees who have departed and some there, but to protect their identities and in some cases NDAs I wont name them 

The senior players and sadly Leonard challenged Gestede for dressing down employees and being nasty and in some cases making them cry.

Leonard for his part was banished to train with the kids.

The rest for none footballing reasons and certainly not for contractual reasons (you actually need to be offered a contract to sign one) have all been dismissed this window (all members of the players council).

How anyone can defend the ciub is beyond me.

The best thing about x now is no one can see who likes your tweets. My own tweets its rather damning given the amount of players,,relatives and staff are liking what im posting. (As people know I wil never post a thing i can't prove).

No Gestede , JE would not have exited thats a fact.

These lads not being offered contracts which was RG job, is not an error. It was deliberate to drive them out the club.

I believe (my opinion) the damage hes created in one summer is more than any single person has at any time in the last 15 years.

This aint a plan of success, this is malicious and been made personal due to people refusing to accept bullying at our training ground 

Many current staff are walking on egg shells in fear .

One significant departed member of staff i spoke to for 2 hours on the phone a couple of weeks ago and it was extremely alarming whats gone down at the training ground.

Strangely Suhail is barely mentioned in any if these conversations. Its always Gestede.

This aint gonna end well unless that man is removed 

When your info is from ex employees you have to take it with a large pinch of salt.

It's very plausible that under Waggot there were non playing staff that weren't doing much. Waggot leaves and this paves the way for the rest of management to shake things up. This happens at most companies. No one leaves/gets pushed out in these situations and says yes its cos I never used to do much. They have big conspiracy theories.

In fact a few weeks back I was chatting to a member of staff at costco, she told me she worked at Asda but she was managed out because one day the EG brothers visited and one of them just randomly looked at her and snarled you wont be staying here.

So is it that a whole bunch of players who were too old or weren't signing new contracts as the wage wasn't at the going rate, were defending innocent staff??

Or

New guy comes, wants to make a mark. Gets rid of non playing staff that don't do much or aren't great at their job. Thinks he can get rid of all the high earners and replace them with players from Europe??

I'd go with number 2. He's got no prior experience, so chances are this will end badly, but one can hope.

[rob_of_the_rovers]

The players we've lost over the summer have more combined Rovers appearances than the players we have left in the squad

[Rover down South]

Two things I have questioned this past few weeks.

1. Where is Pears? Why has he not been in the matchday squad? Why has he not been seen on social media posts? Given Glens post about what’s gone on, did he speak out and been banished to train with the kids? He needs to be our #2 keeper regardless of previous performances.

2. Why was the captaincy given to Todd Cantwell when Sonny has taken the role in Trav’s absence? Seems an odd decision. No disrespect to TC but why was Sonny overlooked?

Edited 4 hours ago by Rover down South

[BRFC4EVA]

56 minutes ago, arbitro said:

This is not as enlightening as Glen's post but I was told last week that all the meat bought in for the STC and Academy is now Halal at the insistence of Gestede.

Surely this would be unlikely? The Indian Hindu majority (which I assume the Venkys hail from) don't exactly have the best relationship with Muslims. Would they tolerate such a strong symbol of Islam by making the club halal only?