An update emerges in Blackburn’s search for a new manager it would seem with an ‘offer’ made, as per reports on the 3rd of June 2026.
On the 12th of May, it was confirmed that Michael O’Neill would not be extending his stay at Blackburn, beyond the 2025/26 season, having been in interim charge.
In his 15 games in charge of Rovers, he won 5, drew 5 and lost 5, and finished 20th with 52 points from 46 games played, 5 points above the drop zone.
And since then, Blackburn have been on the search for his replacement, here’s what Alan Nixon had to say as the search goes into a fourth week…
On the 30th of May, it was claimed that Rovers had hoped to appoint Bilic, but while they had struggled financially to bring him in, it meant it had opened the door for Tony Mowbray to return.
🚨 | Blackburn have made a new offer to Bilic but are widening their net.
Rovers are willing to offer a hefty severance package but short of his demands. Dave Challinor has also emerged as a candidate.
[@reluctantnicko]#BRFC | #Rovers pic.twitter.com/xqs1DM7v7d
— RoversXtra (@RoversXtra) June 3, 2026
GlasgowWorld quoted what Alan Nixon had said on Patreon, saying Bilic wants the “equivalent of two year’s salary”, but as it drags out, Mowbray, who was “originally ruled out”, is now “back into contention if he is fit and keen on the job” after contact.
Bilic has doubts and wants reassurance over the budget available.
It’s claimed contender Russell Martin is now reported close to becoming Leicester’s new manager.
Marti Cifuentes now seems to be an outsider for the vacant role at Rovers.
On June 1st, when asked if there has been contact from Blackburn regarding Dave Challinor, who has just left Stockport, Alan Nixon said “not at this point”, who remains the favourite for the job.
He added that “Bilic and Mowbray the live ones”, and asked if Challinor had met with Blackburn, he replied: “Not heard that.”
On the 3rd of June, Nixon reported via Patreon that Blackburn have made a new offer to Bilic but are widening their net with Rovers are willing to offer a hefty severance package but short of his demands. Dave Challinor has also emerged as a candidate.
Asked if Karl Robinson, sacked by Salford, could be Rovers manager, Nixon replied: “It’s at the stage where anyone has a chance…”
Nixon added: “Can’t get Bilic sorted. Don’t seem 100 per cent sure on Mowbray. Challinor IS being considered. Wanted Championship experience. What happened to that???”
“Working their way down the list”
RoversXtra tweeted: “A senior Rovers official headed for Europe on Wednesday on a mystery mission, possibly meeting one of the contenders.”
FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW BLACKBURN MANAGER:
BetVictor – 3rd June
Dave Challinor – 1/2
Tony Mowbray – 3/1
Slaven Bilic – 6/1
Russell Martin – 6/1
Here’s how fans reacted as an update emerges in Blackburn’s search for new manager with an ‘offer’ made…
@GiallorossiBlue: Why are they fannying around? I’m sure most of our fans would prefer Challinor over Bilic of Mowbray. Get it done!
@camey1981: Part of me thinks this is a no brainer. Get him in. Not championship experience as such but knowledge of the EFL in general. Got a niggling feeling though that an appointment like this with potentially a very low budget is only ending one way . Relegation. Please be wrong.
@allthingspne: I’d be interested to see how he does, he’s a great record, one I hope he doesn’t keep if he came to you. 😂
@RoversPundit: If Bilić is that worried about being sacked, why are we even going for him? If even he doesn’t back himself, then why should we? Pray he rejects us and we get Challinor! 🙏
@LeftBehindPoet: Why would we want a manager who is demanding financial security for failure. The world’s gone absolutely mental. He’d have no incentive to win games.
@huffy58: These managers do my head in. Wanting massive pay outs for when they fail. How about saying. If I turn out to be shit. I’ll apologise and walk away. As any other normal person would do. He can’t have much confidence in his own abilities. I wouldn’t go near the guy.
@FyldeCoastRover: Why are we bending over backwards for Bilic!? Its essentially an Ismael rerun which will go exactly the same way. Not saying Challinor is the answer, but that feels fresh and an exciting risk! Let’s actually try and build something. Instead of this same old shite
@craig_latham: Zero interest in Bilic for me. Much rather Challinor!
@RoversCentral_: They may be “working their way down the list” but Dave Challinor is a far better fit than Slaven Bilić or Tony Mowbray. He would be top of my list, he’s thrived at every level he’s coached at. Says a lot about the way our club is run that he is below those two.
@RoversXtra:
Disagree with that.
Slaven Bilic will always be my first choice from the names we’ve been linked to.
Bilic
Challinor
Cleverley
Mowbray
Martin
@roversrovers: So sounds like bilic ,Belgium guy, challinor who would be the best fit do we think ?
@adrianjhaigh: I don’t want Bilic , we’ve had enough of the failed managers, let’s try someone different
Slaven Bilic simply isn’t good enough to work without a big budget. Look at his net spend as manager throughout his career. No thank you. Let’s get someone who doesn’t want a massive payoff for failing and who doesn’t need to spend a fortune to be considered a decent manager. https://t.co/Nlfdfd8a0R pic.twitter.com/0vvAzmLU3U
— Ben (@GiallorossiBlue) June 3, 2026
