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Blackburn Rovers have appointed Valerien Ismael as their new head coach on a deal until the end of the 2027-28 season.<\/b><\/p>\n
The former Barnsley, West Brom and Watford boss replaces John Eustace, who left Rovers to take the Derby County job earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Ismael, 49, led Barnsley to the Championship play-offs in his sole season at Oakwell and will look to do the same with Blackburn, who are sixth with 12 games to play.<\/p>\n
“We were hugely impressed with Valerien throughout what was a rigorous recruitment process,” chief executive Steve Waggott told the club website., external<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n “He knows the Championship extremely well and what it takes to finish in the play-offs.<\/p>\n “He has played and managed in some of the biggest environments across Europe, and has all the credentials to have a successful spell with us over the coming years.”<\/p>\n Ismael’s first game in charge will be at home to Norwich City – who are also challenging for a play-off spot – on Saturday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n