Blackburn Rovers eyeing up 62-year-old manager amid doubts over Valerien Ismael's future | OneFootball

Valerien Ismael could leave Blackburn Rovers and a familiar face 62-year-old could replace him at Ewood Park...

Blackburn Rovers have had Valerien Ismael at the helm since the end of February, but the 50-year-old could be replaced in the club's perilous position by a fan favourite.

Not only are Blackburn Rovers inside the bottom three and facing relegation to League One for the first time since winning the division in 2018, but they are winless in the last eight Championship games.

In fact, Rovers have just one win in their last 14 matches in the league, which came just before Christmas against Millwall. They have been sat between 16th and 23rd for every matchday so far.

It's a concerning time for the club, with Ismael steering them to seventh last season after replacing John Eustace. However, significant sales have impacted them as well.

The likes of Callum Brittain, Lewis Travis, and Dom Hyam were sold in the summer, with each player contributing plenty to their recent Championship campaigns. It's been a difficult situation for Ismael to try and navigate.

Valerien Ismael could be replaced by Tony Mowbray in Blackburn Rovers dugout

Ismael has been active in January with Blackburn, in the hope that they can improve their situation. Eiran Cashin has arrived on loan from Brighton, and a significant fee went towards acquiring Mathias Jorgensen from FK Bodo/Glimt.

However, the pressure is mounting after their poor recent form. Rovers fans may have been protesting against their owners for years now, as they look for change at the top of the club, but Venky's could be set to make another significant change during January.

Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that Blackburn are looking to bring back their legendary former boss Tony Mowbray in a bid to try and secure safety in the Championship, despite the fact that there is already a manager currently in place at the club - albeit talkSPORT not long after reported that Ismael was fighting to keep his job.

The 62-year-old managed the club for over five years between February 2017 and May 2022. He could not escape relegation that year, but finished second in the third tier in 2018 to secure promotion.

He then guided them to 15th, 11th, 15th, and eighth as they re-established themselves as a Championship side. Mowbray has since had roles with Sunderland and Birmingham City with mixed success, and also rejoined West Bromwich Albion for a short stint last season.

Tony Mowbray's experience could guide Blackburn Rovers out of trouble

Mowbray resigned as Birmingham manager, citing his health would not allow him to resume his duties soon enough for the needs of the club. It was later revealed to be bowel cancer.

However, he is back to full health and has been back working again. There's still plenty of time left in his managerial career, should he be keen to make the return to Blackburn.

His record, spanning two divisions and three other cup competitions, was excellent with Blackburn. Despite having managed over 140 games for both West Brom and Middlesbrough, it's the club he spent by far the most time with in his career.

Ismael is clearly not working at Rovers, and if a decision is to be made to dispense of his services, then Mowbray appears to be the obvious choice to return to Ewood Park to try and rescue the club from what would be a perillous relegation situation.