Leicester-linked manager now new favourite to take charge at Blackburn, he wants Championship move
Chris Coleman has been heavily linked with a move back to the Championship in recent weeks.
The former Wales National Team manager has not coached in England since 2018, when he was dismissed at Sunderland, with relegation to League One looming.
However, with new vacancies at both Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers emerging in recent weeks, a chance has opened up for him to make a shock return to the second tier.
Now, Coleman has emerged as a surprise favourite for the Blackburn Rovers job after Valerien Ismael was sacked at Ewood Park.
📰 Valérien Ismaël has today left his position as Blackburn Rovers’ Head Coach by mutual consent.
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) February 2, 2026
Ismaël joined the club in February 2025, however it has been mutually agreed that he will step away from his role with immediate effect, along with Assistant Head Coach Dean… pic.twitter.com/M3CcVUCtt6
Chris Coleman 4/1 for Blackburn Rovers job
Football Insider recently revealed that Coleman is under consideration for the current Leicester City job.
However, time might be running out for the Foxes to confirm the appointment, with the Welshman now emerging as the favourite for the job at Blackburn Rovers.
One bookmaker has Coleman to Ewood Park as short as 4/1 as the Lancashire club looks to avoid a return to League One.
“I think that’s disgraceful.”
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 29, 2018
Chris Coleman has been released from his contract by Sunderland.
Here’s how the news went down on Match of the Day 2 Extra.#bbcfootball https://t.co/nnbF4roGpv pic.twitter.com/lKawWH1Ytb
However, it remains to be seen who Blackburn opt to appoint as they seek to keep their heads above water.
Who else is linked with the Blackburn Rovers job?
Currently, there are several managers in the mix for the Blackburn Rovers job, according to the bookies.
After Coleman, Damien Duff is seen as a potential candidate at 6/1.
The former Blackburn star was the manager of Irish side Selbourne between 2021 and 2025, where he won two trophies.
A return for Tony Mowbray is also not ruled out at 13/2. The 62-year-old had a successful spell at Rovers between 2017-22, where he helped them return to the Championship in 2018 after their relegation the previous season.
Potential outsiders for the job are David Wagner and Slaven Bilic, who are both priced at 7/1.
The duo have both been highly successful in the Championship in recent years, overseeing promotions to the Premier League with both Huddersfield Town and West Brom.
However, Wagner recently had a tough spell at Norwich City between 2023 and 2024, which saw him sacked at Carrow Road, while Bilic has not managed in England since his short spell at Watford between 2022 and 2023.
Nevertheless, it remains to be seen who Blackburn chooses to appoint as Ismael’s successor in the coming days.