Kean out?

STEVE Kean’s disastrous managerial reign is expected to be ended imminently after tonight’s 2-1 defeat to Bolton left them at the Premier League rock bottom.

Kean, who has won just seven league games out of his 38 in charge at Blackburn Rovers, remained defiant post match but it is understood even Rovers’ owners are ready to accept the need for change.

Several sources have told the Lancashire Telegraph Kean could be axed as early as tomorrow but, with Venky’s track record, nothing can be certain.

The Rao family watched the match live back in their home city of Pune, in India, and another lack-lustre display would not have impressed.

Former Ewood boss Mark Hughes is understood to be Venky’s favoured replacement, on a short term basis until the end of the season, although no approach has yet been made.

It is believed though Hughes would demand reassurances from Venky’s before even considering the prospect of a return, with sources close to him doubtful they could be given.

Other names understood to be in Venky’s’ thinking include Dave Jones, Alan Shearer, Graeme Souness and Avram Grant, with agent Pini Zahavi now advising them.

Steve Kean

The Lancashire Telegraph understands Kean was set a seven point target from the last four games by his bosses, and he has just achieved a three point return.

Kean remains hopeful he can convince club matriarch Anuradha Desai to keep faith in him but, with advisers and board members now pushing for his dismissal, the Rovers boss is very much on the brink.

A furious Ewood Park again called for Kean’s sacking, with one supporter throwing a shirt at him at the final whistle, while an estimated 500 fans congregated post match outside the ground chanting for his sacking.

First half goals from Mark Davies and Nigel Reo-Coker gave Bolton a deserved half time lead and, despite Yakubu’s strike, Rovers never had enough to get back into the game.

Only one team in Premier League history has survived when bottom of the table at Christmas, a position Rovers will be sitting.

When asked if he would be shocked if Venky’s replaced him Kean said: “Yes, 100 per cent.

“We are disappointed with the first half performance as we never got started but full respect to the lads, they reacted in the second half and we gave it a go.

“I expected us to get something once we got one goal back.

“We can get out of this by sticking together and I hope I can win the fans over by winning games.”

Meanwhile, Kean has dismissed Salgado’s claims that he isn’t playing due to a clause in his contract.

He said: “Out of respect for the player they are allowing him to talk to interesting parties.”