Next Blackburn Rovers manager: Ex-West Ham man to 'hold talks' as former Fulham & Arsenal player 'set' for interview

Two former West Ham United players are in line to discuss the managerial vacancy at Blackburn Rovers this week. The Ewood Park outfit saw manager John Eustace leave the club for Derby County last week.

Rovers are fifth in the Championship and challenging for a play-off spot. A number of names have been linked to the vacancy at the former Premier League club with interviews set to be held this week. Blackburn travel to Swansea City this weekend before games with Norwich City and Derby.

O’Neil and Boa Morte set for interviews

Former West Ham players Gary O’Neil and Luis Boa Morte are both set to be interviewed for the vacancy at Ewood Park. According to the Lancashire Telegraph, ex-Wolves and Bournemouth manager O’Neil is planning to hold talks with the club this week. O’Neil, 41, has been out of work since being sacked by Wolves in December following a defeat against Premier League rivals Ipswich Town. Wolves were 19th at the time of his sacking and sat four points from safety after two wins in 11 Premier League games.

O’Neil went into management in 2022 after hanging up his boots in 2019. He started his playing career with Portsmouth and spent seven years on the south coast before heading to Middlesbrough. He signed for West Ham in 2011 and spent two-and-a-half years with the London club before departing as a free agent. He signed for QPR under Harry Redknapp and went on to have stints at Norwich City, Bristol City and Bolton Wanderers.

Meanwhile, The Mirror reports Boa Morte is also up for interview at Blackburn. The 47-year-old first arrived in English football with Arsenal back in 1997 but left for Southampton in 1999. He signed for Fulham in 2001 and remained at Craven Cottage until 2007 when he departed for the Hammers, staying there until 2011. He is the current manager of the Guinea-Bissau national team. He also spent a number of years working as an assistant coach at Fulham.

Who is in charge of Blackburn now?

David Lowe has taken charge of Blackburn’s last two games. His first match in charge was a 2-0 win at West Brom before they beat Plymouth Argyle by the same scoreline last weekend. The Devon club had been in strong before playing Blackburn as they drew 2-2 with Sunderland, beat West Brom and Millwall while also knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win at Home Park.

Following Rovers’ victory over Plymouth, Lowe said: “I’m feeling really pleased but more importantly I’m feeling really pleased for the club, players, fans and staff. It’s been a hectic few days as everyone knows but the players have applied themselves brilliantly and I’m pleased they’ve gave a good show for the fans today.

“They played some decent football in the first half without getting any rewards but then second half, I thought the quick play, movement in and out of possession was really good. Prepared to tackle, prepared to win second balls and obviously prepared to play quality football to get a couple of goals.”