Blackburn Rovers must be on red alert to Stoke City news involving Mark Robins | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers were turned down by Michael O'Neill but they must be on red alert to the Stoke City news involving Mark Robins...

Following another difficult campaign at Blackburn Rovers, the club once again finds itself searching for stability in the dugout. They have had Michael O'Neill and Valerien Ismael but could Mark Robins be the next answer?

After the departure of Valerien Ismael, Michael O'Neill stepped in on an interim basis and shared responsibility with his Nothern Ireland duties. He deserves enormous credit for steadying the ship during the closing stages of the 2025/26 season with Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn looked genuinely vulnerable to relegation at one stage, but the 56-year-old's experience helped guide the club to Championship survival. However, despite the admiration supporters hold for him, O'Neill has turned down the opportunity to take the role at Blackburn permanently, leaving Ewood Park chiefs back at square one in their managerial search.

That is exactly why Blackburn should be paying extremely close attention to developments involving Stoke City and their manager Mark Robins. As per a recent FLW exclusive, Robins could surprisingly be facing the sack at Stoke and that should pique interest.

Mark Robins is a better Blackburn candidate than Henrik Pedersen

If that situation with the Potters develops further, Blackburn simply have to position themselves at the front of the queue for Robins. Despite a difficult second half of the season with Stoke, he is a manager that has repeatedly shown throughout his career that he is capable of building competitive Championship sides under difficult circumstances.

His work at Coventry City, in particular, elevated his reputation enormously. He transformed the Sky Blues from a club battling instability down in League One and League Two into genuine promotion contenders all the way up in the second tier. Beyond results alone, Robins’ teams are typically well-built.

He usually makes them resilient and emotionally connected to their supporters as well. It's fair to say that these are qualities Blackburn have lacked far too often in recent years. Perhaps most importantly, Robins knows how to operate sensibly within financial limitations.

Blackburn are not in a position to gamble recklessly, meaning they need a manager capable of maximising resources rather than demanding huge spending power. Robins fits that profile almost perfectly. Should Stoke make a decision, it's an easy answer for Blackburn to come calling.

By contrast, links between Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen have emerged lately and they should not excite supporters nearly as much. While Pedersen has earned praise for aspects of his management at Sheffield Wednesday in incredibly difficult circumstances this term, appointing him would represent another significant gamble.

Mark Robins could reinvigorate disillusioned Blackburn fans

This is a time when Blackburn desperately need certainty and proven Championship pedigree, which is what Robins provides in spades over someone like Pedersen. The latter has conducted himself remarkably well but Robins is the superior choice if you give him time to build in the long-term.

The pressure surrounding Blackburn’s current situation arguably makes both strong candidates, having operated within that situation in the recent past. Supporters have endured enough instability already, and the club cannot afford another season drifting towards the bottom end of the division.

Robins might not have got things going as he would have liked with Stoke over the last 18 months but his more than seven-year stay with Cov was remarkable. He would arrive with authority, experience, and a track record of improving football clubs over time.

Crucially, he also feels like a manager capable of reconnecting the fanbase with the team after another frustrating campaign. They feel disillusioned with their owners and Robins could be a figure to rally behind. If Stoke do part ways with him, Blackburn must act decisively.