Valerien Ismael’s turbulent reign at Blackburn has come to an end after the club announced that he has left by mutual consent. It comes just two days after another home defeat, this time to Hull City, which sank Rovers into the Championship relegation spots, opening the market for the next Blackburn Rovers manager odds.
It’s been almost 12 months to the day since Ismael was appointed on a three-and-a-half-year deal. But it’s been a fractured time at the club, winning just 11 of his 43 games in charge and creating a toxic relationship with a fanbase who have been calling for his head for most of this season.
A run of one win in their last 14 games has Rovers lambasted to 22nd in the league, three points from safety and in a real dogfight to remain afloat. Attention now turns to Ismael’s replacement as the betting markets start to open.
Latest Odds for the Next Blackburn Rovers Manager
BetVictor are the first online bookmaker to go live with the next Blackburn Rovers manager odds, and the favourites to take charge are listed below.
| Manager | Odds |
|---|---|
| Slaven Bilic | 3/1 |
| Tony Mowbray | 6/1 |
| Damien Duff | 6/1 |
| David Wagner | 10/1 |
| Gary Rowett | 12/1 |
| Will Still | 14/1 |
| Jon Dahl Tomasson | 14/1 |
| David Lowe | 14/1 |
| Lee Carsley | 14/1 |
| Dave Challinor | 14/1 |
| Russell Martin | 16/1 |
| Phil Jones | 20/1 |
| Aitor Karanka | 20/1 |
| Marti Cifuentes | 25/1 |
*Odds correct at 13:30 GMT on 02/02/2026. Odds subject to change.
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Bet 1: Slaven Bilic – Early Favourite
Slaven Bilic has emerged as the early favourite to become the next Blackburn Rovers manager. He’s been out of work since leaving Al-Fateh by mutual consent in August 2024, but has bags of experience in the English leagues, having worked at West Ham, West Brom and Watford, respectively.
Bilic’s appointment would create an instant authority figure at Ewood Park. He’s no-nonsense and could be exactly what they need to grab the dressing room and drag them out of the mess they currently find themselves in.
In terms of a marquee appointment, he certainly fits the bill. Blackburn needs a short, sharp shock, and Bilic would provide it. The question is, does the Croatian want to return to a job which is, at the moment at least, high-risk?
Gut feeling is no, but regardless of that, he’s well priced at the top of the Blackburn next manager betting market at 3/1.
Bet 2: Tony Mowbray – Risk-Free Option
Tony Mowbray spent five years at Blackburn from 2017 to 2022 and could be in line for a sensational return. The former Birmingham City, Sunderland and Middlesbrough boss left his role at West Brom in April 2025, but has been vocal about his return to management, shooting down claims that he might retire.
Blackburn is, of course, a club he knows well. He stuck with them when they were relegated to League One in 2016-17 and got them straight back into the Championship the following season.
Like Bilic, he’s one who would reduce the chaos at the club. Steady the ship, if you will. He might not be every fan’s long-term prospect, but that’s not what they need right now. They need results in the short term from a manager who can slot right in. Mowbray ticks those boxes and at 6/1 looks to be the value play here.
Bet 3: Damien Duff – Outsider
If Blackburn were looking long-term and at a more project-oriented approach, Damien Duff is a compelling option. Of course, Duff is a well-known figure at the club, having made 185 appearances and scored 27 goals in his seven years there.
His only foray into management came from his role at Shelbourne in the League of Ireland Premier League. He enjoyed considerable success there, helping the club win its first league title since 2006 in 2024.
There’s no doubt that a lack of experience in the Championship will cause alarm bells to ring. Supporters may jump on board to see this as a new era, but right now, they need results, and to do that, someone who’s been there and done it.
This could be a move that happens in the future, especially given Duff’s ties to the club, but both Bilic and Mowbray seem a better fit for what’s needed right now.
