One Blackburn Rovers issue may stop Tom Cleverley joining | OneFootball

Tom Cleverley should not be tempted to leave Plymouth Argyle in favour of joining Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers have eyed Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley as a potential successor to Michael O'Neill, who didn't extend his stay at Ewood Park beyond the end of the season.

O'Neill helped Blackburn retain their Championship status and was managing the Lancashire outfit alongside his duties in charge of Northern Ireland.

The 56-year-old has chosen to remain in his international post rather than join Rovers permanently, having joined them on a short-term deal in February.

Blackburn are now searching for a new manager, who they hope can lead them to a better Championship finish than the 20th-place managed by O'Neill this season.

Tom Cleverley should be put off by Blackburn Rovers issue as Ewood Park side plot swoop for Plymouth Argyle boss

Plymouth ultimately missed out on the League One play-off places by two points, but Cleverley has still proven himself as one of the best managers in the third tier this term.

Argyle were in the relegation zone midway through the campaign, and the 36-year-old deserves plenty of credit for turning the Devon club's season around and leading them to serious top-six contention, albeit they ultimately fell short.

The former Manchester United and Everton midfielder also gained managerial experience in the Championship as Watford boss.

Therefore, it is no surprise that, according to Alan Nixon via Patreon, Blackburn have eyed Cleverley as a candidate to become their next manager.

However, The Venky's have proven to be difficult owners to work under ever since buying Rovers in 2010, which may deter the Plymouth boss from trading Devon for Lancashire.

Blackburn have never finished in the Championship play-offs since being relegated from the Premier League in 2012, highlighting a lack of ambition.

Furthermore, the Ewood Park side were relegated to League One in 2017 and have been in second-tier relegation battles for two of the last three seasons.

Rovers have also failed to back their managers in the transfer market in recent years.

In contrast, although Plymouth were relegated to League One in 2025, Argyle have shown ambition in recent years, as evidenced by their third-tier title triumph in 2023.

Unlike The Venky's, Pilgrims owner Simon Hallett is a strong communicator who has enjoyed positive relationships with his managers in recent seasons.

Cleverley should not want to trade the positive environment he enjoys at Home Park for an Ewood Park atmosphere, which is largely negative.

Furthermore, Argyle will be challenging for promotion next season, whereas the current signs suggest that Rovers are destined for another relegation battle.

Cleverley could also be set to enjoy receiving handsome transfer fees this summer, amid the high-profile interest in strikers Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple.

Tom Cleverley should not want to turn his back on exciting Plymouth project

Plymouth have been on resurgent form in recent months, suffering just four defeats in League One since the turn of the year, and would have finished in a play-off spot if they hadn't endured such a slow start to the campaign.

Argyle concluded their season with a six-game unbeaten run, adding further evidence that they may have what it takes to clinch automatic promotion next term.

Having established such positive momentum at Home Park, Cleverley shouldn't be tempted to leave Devon this summer.