EFL boss battling to save job amid relegation fears and no wins in eight

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael is battling to save his job after a run of eight games without a win, talkSPORT understands.

The former Premier League winners are in real danger of dropping down into League One.

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Rovers suffered a 1-0 defeat to Hull on Saturday after a late goal from Lewis Koumas.

Their last win in the Championship was a 2-0 victory against Millwall on December 20.

Ismael’s team are third from bottom and three points adrift of West Brom in 21st.

Speaking after the defeat to Hull, Ismael said: “I think it’s not about the performance today, it’s not about the desire or the mentality.

“What we have to complain about is take our chances, it’s as simple as that. At some point you have to take your chances when you dominate the game like this.

“You’re on the front foot, on top of the opposition, and you have to get the reward and make sure you score a goal.

“I think it will help us and all of a sudden, in the second half from nothing, we concede that goal and after that late in the game, it’s tough for the players because, as I said, they try to give everything in the game.”

Ismael has been in charge of Blackburn since February 2025 and won just 11 of his 43 games in charge.

Blackburn turmoil

Fans have long lamented the club’s ownership under the Venky’s, who purchased the club in 2010.

A fan group called for the boycott of their Watford match in January, with many opting to watch nearby Chorley in the National League North.

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However, the Venky’s have no intention to sell the club anytime soon.

CEO Steve Waggott said in April last year: “The way it stands presently I can’t see them going anytime soon.

“Obviously, if there was an interest from another investor who put in a legitimate fully fledged offering that covered their time in the club that they felt was reasonable and fair, it’s just like a footballer. Every player’s up for sale. So clubs are up for sale.”

The Championship club was embroiled in more chaos this week when it emerged they were being sued by their kit supplier Macron.

Their five-year partnership will conclude at the end of this season.

On Thursday, Rovers revealed in a statement that Macron are taking legal action against them.

“The club has been served with court papers by its technical kit supplier, Macron S.p.A., in relation to a contractual dispute,” it read.

“The claim is being handled by the club with the support of its legal team and it would be inappropriate to comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing.”