Blackburn Rovers turn attention to surprise return for former manager after decision made

Blackburn Rovers are reportedly open to approaching Mark Hughes over a surprise return to the club after they decided to sack Valerien Ismael on Monday.

Rovers‘ 1-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday was their third loss in four games, and extended their winless run to nine matches.

They currently sit 22nd in the Championship following such poor form, three points away from 21st-placed West Brom, with a game in hand against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.

The bookies priced Ismael as the favourite to be the next manager sacked in the second-tier following Saturday’s loss, and he was duly dismissed on Monday along with his assistant, Dean Whitehead.

Blackburn chiefs are now on the lookout for a new boss to rescue the club from relegation back to the third tier, with one name in particular on their radar who will shock a few supporters.

Hughes is on Rovers’ managerial shortlist alongside numerous other bosses

According to a new report from journalist Alan Nixon, Blackburn are considering a return for their old boss, Hughes, who is currently managing National League side Carlisle United.

He is one of many managers under consideration at this early stage in the process, however, with another ex-boss, Jon Dahl Tomasson, also on their radar, as well as Chris Coleman.

The report states that their search for a new boss has made a “faltering start”, with two leading candidates, namely David Wagner and Bo Svensson, both believed to be not to keen on the job.

Slaven Bilic was touted as a contender to take over at Ewood Park on Monday, but Nixon claims that his camp are sending mixed messages as to whether he would actually take on the role, while Tony Mowbray is not in the running.

Who has Hughes managed since leaving Blackburn in 2008?

After spending his final two years as a player at Ewood Park, Hughes took the job as Rovers’ new manager in 2004 and held the role until he was poached by Man City in June 2008.

He failed to perform at City, despite increased investment from their Abu Dhabi-based owners, and so was sacked in December 2009 before going on to manage Fulham and QPR over the next two years.

Hughes’ stint in charge of Stoke from 2013 to 2018 was arguably one of his most successful, but ultimately also ended in dismissal as he then had a short spell in charge of Southampton.

Over three years out of management saw him drop into the lower leagues to become Bradford City boss in February 2022, but he was sacked from that role in October 2023, with the club struggling in League Two.

He has been in charge of Carlisle since February 2025, with the club currently sitting third in the National League following relegation last season.

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