Blackburn Rovers next manager: New odds-on favourite emerges after overnight development
Blackburn Rovers are on the hunt for their next manager after Valerien Ismael was sacked at Ewood Park.
Currently, the Lancashire side are in the midst of a relegation battle and are looking to pull themselves clear of the drop zone.
As it stands, Blackburn are the favourites to go down with Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford United despite West Brom currently being in the bottom three.
Therefore, Rovers may need to bring in an experienced Championship manager to pull them clear, with Gary Rowett now emerging as the odds-on favourite for the role.
Gary Rowett just 2/5 for Blackburn Rovers job
Rowett has been out of work since December, when he was sacked as Oxford United manager.
Last season, the former Birmingham City coach had guided the U’s to Championship safety with a 17th-place finish.
While a poor run led to his dismissal this season, this has clearly not damaged his reputation in the Championship.
Now, one bookmaker has Rowett as just 2/5 to take over at Ewood Park next after his odds were slashed over the past day.
Oxford United have sacked Gary Rowett.
— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) December 23, 2025
The club currently sit 22nd in the Championship with 19 points. pic.twitter.com/lIdlUAvHgc
Only on Friday, Graham Alexander was the favourite for the Blackburn job, alongside Rowett, with both managers being 5/2.
However, the recent development has seen the former Oxford United manager become the clear favourite as Rovers prepare to take on Norwich City on Saturday.
Who else is in the running for the Blackburn Rovers job?
Bradford City boss, Alexander, remains in the running for the job at Ewood Park as the second-favourite.
His odds have remained at 5/2 after impressing at the Bantams.
Following this, Chris Coleman and Robbie Savage have both not been ruled out at 8/1.
Savage has recently addressed the rumours linking him to Blackburn Rovers, with the former Ewood Park star currently the manager of Forest Green Rovers in the National League.
Finally, a potential outsider for the role is Gareth Ainsworth at 12/1.
The former QPR manager has dropped down the divisions after his unsuccessful spell in the Championship and has been in charge of Gillingham since 2025.
In League Two, he has the side 14th in the table, with a recent run of poor form causing them to drop out of the playoff race.