Odds crash on National League manager to take over at Blackburn Rovers, it’s not Robbie Savage
Blackburn Rovers are on the hunt for their next manager after Valerien Ismael was sacked at Ewood Park.
The former West Brom and Barnsley coach was unable to turn the Lancashire club’s form around, overseeing an eight-match winless run before he was sacked this week alongside his assistant coach, Dean Whitehead.
With Blackburn currently 21st in the Championship, and only above the drop zone on goal difference, the next appointment could be vital to their short-term future.
Recently, Robbie Savage has been heavily linked to the Blackburn job, with the former Wales international looking to guide Forest Green Rovers back to League Two.
However, another National League manager has now entered the running, with a potential return on the cards for Mark Hughes, who is currently at National League side Carlisle United.
📰 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
Mark Hughes just 10/1 to return to Blackburn Rovers
Despite his strong CV, Hughes has spent much of his recent managerial career in the lower tiers of English football.
Between 2022 and 2023, he was at Bradford City, where he was unable to get them back into League One before he was sacked.
Since February 2025, he has been at Carlisle United. While he was unable to save them from relegation to the National League last season, he has remained at the club and is currently third in the table in the fifth tier.
👏 Fantastic to welcome Mark Hughes back to Ewood last night to present our former player and manager with a #Rovers Honour Cap!
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) October 22, 2025
And thank you to David & Steve for collecting the Honour Cap on behalf of the legendary Jack Roscamp! 💙
🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/YcZ4ouZCDV
Recently, reports have linked Hughes back to Blackburn, with the coach managing the side between 2004 and 2008.
Now, one bookmaker has placed a potential return to Ewood Park at 10/1, with Oddschecker on 5 February confirming that these odds have been slashed.
Who else is in the running for the Blackburn job?
As it stands, Chris Coleman is the favourite to take over at Blackburn at 5/1.
The Welshman has not managed in the UK since he was dismissed at Blackburn in 2018, but is now heavily linked to a return to the Championship.
Following this is Savage at 6/1. While Savage has now addressed the speculation linking him back to Ewood Park, he has remained the second favourite for the job.
Following this is Slaven Bilic and David Wagner at 6/1 and 8/1.
Both managers have overseen promotions to the Premier League over the last decade. However, recent unsuccessful stints at Watford and Norwich City have seen their stock fall.