After negotiations with Gary Rowett hit a standstill, Venkys are exploring a move for Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill to save Rovers from Championship drop.
Blackburn Rovers’ search for a permanent successor to Valerien Ismael has taken a dramatic turn. With talks for primary target Gary Rowett reportedly stalling, the Ewood Park hierarchy is now exploring an ambitious move for Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.
The Lancashire club finds itself in a desperate “relegation warfare.” Despite a brief spark under interim boss Damien Johnson highlighted by a vital 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday—Saturday’s toothless 2-0 defeat to Norwich City has left Rovers languishing in 22nd place.
The Rowett Deadlock
Blackburn had hoped to appoint Rowett, the former Millwall and Stoke City boss, early this week. However, negotiations have hit a roadblock, forcing the club back to square one. This follows a failed approach for Slaven Bilic, who reportedly showed no interest in the vacancy at Ewood Park.
Why Michael O’Neill?
According to journalist Alan Nixon, the Venkys are now looking toward O’Neill, a manager with a proven track record of rebuilding teams.
O’Neill isn’t just an international tactician; he is a top-flight title winner, having secured two League of Ireland trophies with Shamrock Rovers (2010 and 2011) before his successful first stint at Stoke City.
The Current Situation at Ewood Park:
- League Position: 22nd (Relegation Zone)
- Recent Form: 1 win in last 9 matches.
- The Goal: Immediate Championship survival.
The World Cup Hurdle
There is a significant catch in the pursuit of O’Neill. The 56-year-old is currently preparing Northern Ireland for a historic World Cup playoff semi-final against Italy in March.
Having led his nation to Nations League promotion, O’Neill is unlikely to abandon his post on the verge of Northern Ireland’s first World Cup appearance since 1986. Consequently, any deal with Blackburn might have to be on a part-time or dual-role basis until the end of the season a rare and complex arrangement in modern football.
With the clock ticking and the fans’ patience wearing thin, Blackburn must act fast. Whether O’Neill can balance international glory with a Championship survival scrap remains to be seen, but for the Rovers faithful, he represents a significant upgrade in pedigree.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
