Michael O’Neill rejects Blackburn role as Rovers restart search, Jayson Molumby plays 45 minutes | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers are searching for a new manager after Michael O’Neill turned down the job to remain Northern Ireland head coach.

He had steered Rovers to Championship safety while combining roles after being appointed in February until season’s end, according to ExpressAndStar.com.

The 56-year-old delivered five wins, five draws and five defeats as Blackburn finished 20th, one place and one point above Albion.

O’Neill had already said he could not hold both jobs permanently. After talks, he said his long-term focus must stay with Northern Ireland and the push towards European Championship qualifying.

Blackburn said he would continue his commitment to the national team, concentrating on leading them towards qualification for the 2028 European Championships.

Northern Ireland did not qualify for the World Cup this summer, and O’Neill will lead them into European Championship qualifying. Without Albion’s two-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability regulations, Rovers would have finished one place below the Baggies and one clear of the drop zone.

Bookmakers have installed Leicester manager Gary Rowett as early favourite. He remains in charge at the King Power Stadium, but his position is uncertain. Tony Mowbray, Slaven Bilic, David Wagner, Graham Alexander, Chris Coleman and Will Still are also in the running.

Meanwhile, Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby played 45 minutes for the Republic of Ireland in a 2-0 warm-up win over Real Murcia B. He and goalkeeper Max O’Leary, who is out of contract at the end of a short-term deal at The Hawthorns, are at a Spanish training camp.

Ireland face Grenada in a friendly in Spain this weekend.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com