Why Blackburn Rovers could appoint Robbie Savage as shock Ewood Park update emerges | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers are searching for a replacement to Valerien Ismael

Robbie Savage has emerged as a leading candidate to take over at Blackburn Rovers amid their managerial search.

According to Football Insider, the Forest Green Rovers boss is a top candidate to replace Valerien Ismael following his dismissal earlier this week.

The Lancashire outfit opted for a change in the dugout following Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Hull City, which left the side in the relegation zone.

A 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night lifted the club out of the bottom three, but the threat of relegation remains quite serious.

Savage has been in charge of the National League side since July, and has overseen 21 wins from his 39 games as manager.

Blackburn Rovers eye Robbie Savage appointment

Blackburn’s search for a new manager has led to Savage becoming a top candidate for the position.

It is believed that the 51-year-old’s work at Forest Green Rovers, as well as his previous stint with Macclesfield has impressed the Championship side’s hierarchy.

Savage has been identified as the kind of profile of coach that the club wants to bring in, as they seek survival against the drop into League One.

The former midfielder is also understood to fit the club’s plans to build a younger squad that will have a great emphasis on the academy system.

However, no official approach has yet been made to try and bring Savage to Ewood Park from the National League side.

The 51-year-old also spent three years with the Lancashire outfit as a player, so will know the club from his stint from 2005 to 2008.

A number of names have been linked with the Rovers vacancy, including Slaven Bilic.

Blackburn moved up to 21st in the table with their 1-0 win on Tuesday night, and will face 19th place Norwich City at Carrow Road in their next fixture on 7 February.

Robbie Savage appointment would be a huge risk for Blackburn

Savage has done well at a non-league level over the last 18 months or so, but it would be a huge ask for him to step up to the Championship.

He of course played at that level, and in the Premier League, so he does know what it takes to be competitive in the second tier.

But that doesn’t guarantee that he will have what it takes to get results from this Blackburn squad, and it’s results that they desperately need right now.

This would be a huge risk to take by the club given how close they are to the relegation zone, and it might not go down too well with supporters.

They will want a steady and experienced pair of hands to steady the ship and stave off the threat of relegation, and there would have to be doubts surrounding Savage's ability to do so.