Fresh Blackburn twist as Slaven Bilic stance impacts Tony Mowbray return

Blackburn Rovers are once again searching for a permanent manager after interim boss Michael O’Neill decided against extending his stay at Ewood Park, opting instead to continue as Northern Ireland manager.

O’Neill was appointed in February following the dismissal of Valérien Ismaël and succeeded in steering Rovers clear of relegation danger. Across his 15 matches in charge, Blackburn recorded five wins, five draws and five defeats — enough to convince club officials he could be the right long-term option.

Despite the club’s interest in keeping him permanently, O’Neill ultimately chose to remain focused on international management, signing a fresh deal with Northern Ireland and forcing Blackburn back into the market for a new head coach.

Several names have been linked with the vacancy in recent weeks, including former West Ham United and West Brom boss Slaven Bilić, as well as ex-Southampton manager Russell Martin. However, a surprising new twist has emerged involving a familiar face.

According to reports, former Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray could now be in contention for a sensational return to Ewood Park. Mowbray previously spent five years at the club between 2017 and 2022 and remains a respected figure among supporters.

The 62-year-old was most recently in charge of West Brom earlier this year, though his spell at The Hawthorns ended after a difficult run of results. Prior to that, Mowbray stepped away from management during his time at Birmingham City due to health concerns before returning to the dugout less than a year later.

His re-emergence in the managerial conversation comes amid complications in Blackburn’s pursuit of Bilić.

The Croatian coach is believed to remain highly admired by Blackburn after previously being targeted following Ismaël’s exit. However, reports suggest negotiations have stalled over financial guarantees and uncertainty surrounding the club’s transfer budget.

Bilić is said to be seeking a substantial compensation package — reportedly equivalent to two years’ salary — should the appointment not work out, a demand Blackburn are reluctant to meet.

He is also understood to want greater clarity regarding the resources available to strengthen the squad, with ownership group Venky’s reportedly yet to provide firm assurances.

With talks appearing difficult and Russell Martin potentially moving elsewhere, the possibility of a Mowbray return has now gathered momentum, while former QPR boss Marti Cifuentes is also believed to remain in the wider frame.