Blackburn to keep Kean until end of the season

STEVE KEAN has been given the chance to prove his management credentials after Blackburn owners Venky’s yesterday announced he will remain in charge until the end of the season.

The 43-year-old was promoted from first-team coach to caretaker boss following the surprise sacking of Sam Allardyce and assistant Neil McDonald last week.

Indian poultry giants Venky’s, who took over the club last month, stressed they would not be rushing to appoint a permanent successor to Allardyce, and yesterday put their trust in Kean, despite his lack of managerial experience.

A club statement read: “Following the departure of Sam Allardyce as football manager of Blackburn Rovers FC earlier this month, Steve Kean was appointed as manager.

“Venky’s London Limited — Blackburn Rovers — has decided to continue with Steve Kean as manager, until the end of the season, June 2011.”

Kean’s first game in charge was a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Barclays Premier League bottom side West Ham last weekend. Kean, who was previously assistant to Chris Coleman at Fulham, Real Sociedad and Coventry, could have been forgiven for having second thoughts after a first 10 days in charge that has included public dissent from fans and players as well as a growing injury list.

His position was also questioned yesterday by Allardyce, who claimed McDonald would have been a better choice.

Kean’s first priority on his return to Ewood Park will be to try to placate captain Christopher Samba, who has reportedly told the club he wants to leave.

“If this is the way the club’s going to be run from now on, I don’t want to be part of it and I want to leave,” the defender told The Sun.

“Nobody in football understands the decision to sack Sam.”

Kean lost two players for considerable spells of time in last weekend’s draw with West Ham. Defensive starlet Phil Jones, 18, is likely to miss most of the rest of the season following knee surgery while striker Jason Roberts could be out for up to seven weeks with a hamstring injury.

How much money Kean will have to spend in the January transfer window remains unclear. The owners have already set a top-seven finish as their target.

Rovers go into the St Stephen’s Day clash with Stoke at Ewood Park sitting 12th in the table.