Blackburn Rovers told their 'first big issue' involves the Venky's | OneFootball

FLW's Blackburn Rovers fan pundit has detailed the latest fan sentiment towards the Venky's, Rudy Gestede and more.

Blackburn Rovers are a club who have been without Premier League football since 2011/12, with a stint in League One in 2017/18 since then as well.

Rovers have not even finished inside the Championship play-offs since their relegation, with battling relegation more likely for the side over the last 14 years outside of the top flight.

As former Premier League winners, the club are one of the biggest and most historic clubs in the second tier. They are constantly seeking a return to former glory, starting with a promotion to the Premier League.

However, Michael O'Neill's side just need to survive this season and build again. They are 20th and only four points above the bottom three. There is far more chance of growth on and off the pitch if they stay up for the 2026/27 season.

Blackburn Rovers' current biggest problem remains the Venky's

Away from the pitch is perhaps where Blackburn's more terminal issues lie. We asked FLW’s Blackburn fan pundit, Simon Middlehurst, what the biggest off-pitch is that the club needs to fix before it can move forward.

"The first big issue off the pitch is that we're still owned by Venky's but also we don't have a CEO in place," Middlehurst told Football League World.

He added further issues relating to the running of the club, stating: "Rudy Gestede is running the club at the minute and him and Suhail Pasha aren't the most popular amongst fans.

"It's well reported that fans don't want them in the club whatsoever. The really just does seem to be a lack of communication between the club and owners.

"The owners don't have any communication towards the fans at all, too. They haven't been at the club or seen the since post-COVID.

"And we just don't seem to be moving forward. We won't be moving forward until things have changed at the top."

How new ownership could reinvigorate Blackburn Rovers

For all the stability Blackburn Rovers have shown on the pitch at times, there is a ceiling to what they can realistically achieve under their current ownership and model. The modern Championship is ruthless, given how much is driven by clubs with parachute payments.

But it goes beyond that, with many using data-led recruitment and able to invest significantly in infrastructure. Without fresh capital and a clearly defined long-term vision, Blackburn risk standing still or going backwards via another relegation while rivals accelerate past them.

The club’s glory days — including the 1994/95 Premier League title — were built on bold ownership and ambition. That edge has long since faded. Recruitment is often reactive rather than strategic, key assets have been sold to balance books and investment in facilities and squad depth has lagged behind promotion contenders.

New investors would not simply mean more spending but mean renewed direction. Smarter analytics, stronger commercial growth, and a commitment to retaining top talent or maximising sales better are all essential if Rovers are to re-establish themselves.