Tag Archives: Blackburn Rovers

Venky’s have no plans to sell Blackburn Rovers

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GLOBAL advisor Shebby Singh insists Venky’s have no plans to sell Blackburn Rovers and are striving for long-term stability, despite parting company with their third full-time manager this season.

Singh broke his silence in the aftermath of Michael Appleton’s sacking last Tuesday, just 67 days after the former Portsmouth and Blackpool boss was installed as Henning Berg’s successor.

Former Rovers defender Berg was in charge for just 57 days, after he replaced Steve Kean, who walked out on the club in September.

Fans have voiced their frustration at their club once more being thrust into the football spotlight for all the wrong reasons under Venky’s ownership.

But when asked if there were any plans to sell, even if the threat of a second straight relegation became a reality, Singh said: “No. League One – we are not even thinking about that. What is very, very important to realise (is) that in football you have to set in long term plans.

Ewood Park Blackburn

Ewood Park Blackburn

“Unfortunately sometimes situations happen where you have managers with differing philosophies.

“This can cause the transition period to take longer than expected, but we all know that the transition period will end very, very soon and the fans will start enjoying their football again.

“It’s fair to say the owners have their targets, they have their goals, they have their ambition and it is to get a club back on its feet to achieve what all club owners would like to achieve. You can take it from me that 100 per cent my bosses, the owners, are committed.”


Of the decision to sack Appleton after just 15 games in charge, Singh added: “Truth be told it was down to bad results and poor performances.

“The owners gave their blessing for the appointment. The bad results and poor performances were not encouraging and unfortunately as we all keep reminding ourselves we are in the results business hence the owners made the decision as we were sliding towards League One.”

Singh is believed to be the driving force behind Appleton’s exit, despite never meeting the 37-year-old and playing no part in his appointment.

Singh added that the club is financially secure, despite fears to the contrary.

He said: “Financially we are secure. There might be sceptics out there.

“When you look at building a club you always look at assets. Asset wise I think we are very rich.”

Venky’s committed to the club

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Controversial Blackburn owners Venky’s are “100 per cent committed to the club”, according to Rovers’ global advisor Shebby Singh.

Rovers, 18th in the Championship table, sacked manager Michael Appleton after 15 games and 67 days in charge.

Steve Kean, Henning Berg and Eric Black have also left the club this season.

“We all know the transition period will end very soon and the fans will start enjoying their football again,” the former Malaysia player told BBC Sport.

Speaking for the first time since Appleton’s dismissal on 19 March, Singh defended the high turnover of managers.

Kean claimed he was forced to resign in September before his replacement, Berg, was sacked in December.

Assistant manager Black, who also had a spell as caretaker manager, left with the Norwegian.

“I would like to assure the fans that everything possible is being done to make the club enjoy long-term stability,” Singh added. “In football you have to set long-term plans.

Ewood park

Ewood park

“Unfortunately situations sometimes happen where you have managers with differing philosophies and this can cause the transition period to take longer than expected.


“The ambition is to get the club back on its feet and achieve what all club owners would like to achieve. So you can take it from me the owners are 100% committed.”

Singh said that Blackburn’s hierarchy are not thinking about the prospect of dropping into League One despite being four points above the relegation zone with nine games remaining.

The global advisor also defended his own position at the troubled Championship club.

Last week it was revealed that Appleton did not exchange a single word with Singh throughout the former Portsmouth and Blackpool manager’s short reign at Ewood Park.

“I had pretty much been accused of interfering [in the past],” said Singh.

“I was always held responsible for the lack of results and poor performances.

“As ridiculous as those allegations were, they were out there and that really fuelled the fans. When the situation came [to appoint Appleton], I decided to take a step back.

“I can’t carry the can for people. As a global advisor I report to my bosses and speak to my bosses. I would say my job here has pretty much been fighting fires.”

Blackburn have put Gary Bowyer in caretaker charge for the remainder of the Championship season.