Slaven Bilic reveals reason why he turned down Blackburn Rovers | OneFootball

Slaven Bilic was linked with the Blackburn Rovers managerial vacancy prior to Michael O'Neill's appointment

Slaven Bilic has explained that the timing wasn’t right for him to take over Blackburn Rovers.

It was reported earlier in the month that the Croatian was a target to replace Valerien Ismael following his dismissal on 2 February after a 1-0 loss to Hull City.

However, the Lancashire outfit ultimately landed on the decision to appoint Northern Ireland national team coach Michael O’Neill as Ismael’s successor for the remainder of the term.

The 56-year-old will share the two jobs, with the national side in contention for a place in the World Cup this summer with the March play-offs.

Meanwhile, Blackburn will be hoping that O’Neill can keep Rovers from suffering the drop into League One this season, with the club at risk of suffering relegation to League One.

Slaven Bilic explains Blackburn Rovers decision

Bilic has claimed that he felt now wasn’t the right time to make a return to English football, having previously coached both West Ham, Watford and West Brom earlier in his career.

He believes that a return to England could be possible in the future, and that the Blackburn role did interest him, but that the timing just wasn’t right for him.

"It was true," said Bilic, via Sky Sports News on X.

"I decided at this stage of the season, it wasn't the right moment to go.

“That was my decision based on that.

“If the club is right and the moment is right, why not?

"It's a great job and it was always my area, it is my second tongue.

“We will see what happens."

Blackburn got back to winning ways over the weekend, with the team securing an important three points with a 3-1 win away to QPR.

This lifted Rovers to 19th in the Championship table, keeping them three points clear of the relegation zone with 14 games still to play.

This was only the club’s second win in 11 league games, with the other victory coming against Sheffield Wednesday on 3 February.

Next up for Blackburn will be O’Neill’s first home game in charge against Preston North End on 20 February in an 8pm kick-off.

Michael O’Neill appointment makes a promising start at Blackburn

Bilic could’ve been a good appointment for Blackburn given his experience of English football, and he’d know what it takes to be competitive in the Championship.

But O’Neill has made a promising start to life at Ewood Park, and the win over QPR should give supporters some reason for optimism.

Their goal is quite straightforward between now and the end of the campaign, and that’s to remain in the division.

As long as that is achieved, then the appointment of O’Neill will have proven a success, and at that point perhaps a longer-term decision could be made on whether he should stick around or move on.