Robbie Savage appears to rubbish Blackburn job links as they consider move for current EFL boss

Robbie Savage has seemingly quashed talk of a sensational Blackburn Rovers return with two emojis.

The Lancashire outfit is on the lookout for a new manager after Valerian Ismael departed by mutual consent on Monday.

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Ismael, who joined Rovers in February 2025, left with the club third from bottom in the Championship, although they have climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to a 1-0 win at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night.

The 50-year-old managed just 11 wins from his 43 games in charge.

Following Ismael’s departure, a raft of names have been linked to the Ewood Park vacancy, including Savage.

But the 51-year-old seemingly shot down any such speculation in a now-deleted post on X.

Robbie rubbishes report

Replying to a report which claimed he was a contender for the role, Savage responded with a facepalm and a laughing emoji.

Savage, who played 100 times for Rovers from 2004 to 2008, is in charge of National League club Forest Green Rovers.

The former Wales international took over at Forest Green in July having been plucked from Macclesfield after he steered the phoenix club to the Northern Premier League Premier Division title last term.

Under Savage’s tutelage, Forest Green sit fourth in the National League with 58 points, nine behind league leaders Rochdale.

As Forest Green boss, Savage has overseen just seven defeats from 35 matches in charge across all competitions.

Should Savage’s deleted post be a true indication of his feelings towards the Blackburn gig, Rovers could turn to a manager at a rival EFL club.

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Richardson to leave the Royals?

talkSPORT understands Reading boss Leam Richardson is on Blackburn’s managerial shortlist.

Richardson has only been in charge of the Royals since October, but he has overseen an impressive run of results.

Under Richardson, Reading have won seven, drawn four and lost just three League One fixtures as they sit tenth, eight points outside the play-off positions.

Prior to taking over Reading, Richardson had been out of work since April 2024 following a dismal stint in charge of Rotherham United, where he won only two of his 24 matches at the helm.

Blackburn’s search for a new manager comes amid further off-field turmoil after it emerged they were being sued by their kit supplier Macron.

A club statement confirmed Macron had undertaken legal action against Rovers ‘in relation to a contractual dispute.’