Championship play-off hopefuls Blackburn Rovers are on the hunt for their new manager, following the departure of John Eustace to Derby County earlier in the month.
The second-tier side are reportedly keen on making an appointment quickly to ensure their pursuit of Premier League promotion is not significantly impacted.
Derby County paid a compensation fee to Blackburn to secure the former Birmingham City boss after he admitted he would like to be allowed to discuss the opportunity with The Rams. The board put out a statement expressing their disappointment towards Eustace for his stance, before ultimately accepting his departure.
The Current Championship Form Table
Who has been linked and how much will it cost?
Two clear names have emerged at this early stage, former Premier League man Gary O’Neil and League One boss Richie Wellens of Leyton Orient. Both men are reportedly on the club’s shortlist, according to Alan Nixon alongside “some foreign hopefuls”.
It is speculated in the report that Wellens may be prepared to step up to the Championship after a “solid apprenticeship”.
However, one stumbling block may be the £250,000 compensation fee demanded by The O’s to secure his services. With the current form the League One side are on, they do not want to risk derailing their opportunity at competing in the play-offs this late into the season.
Wellens, along with O’Neil and the “foreign hopefuls” are all set to meet with the club next week as they assess their options.
Will Wellens join Blackburn Rovers?
The opportunity to manage a club fighting for promotion to the Premier League does not come around often, and although it isn’t guaranteed they are well placed to at least be part of the play-offs. In comparison Leyton Orient are also part of the play-offs in League One, but the situation is far more fluid with several teams all on very close points totals.
If he takes the opportunity, he is guaranteed to be at least playing in the Championship next season. But he is loyal to Leyton Orient, they are a close nit club behind the scenes and they have shown a great deal of faith in him. To leave at this stage of the season, it would be seriously damaging to their play-off chances and I’m not sure he would be willing to do that.