Damien Johnson will lead Blackburn Rovers into a pivotal match against Norwich City this weekend, stepping in as interim manager following the recent dismissal of Valerien Ismael. The Frenchman’s exit came after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Hull City, a result that has left Blackburn perilously close to the Championship relegation zone. Read more about Field Joins Norwich City on Loan as QPR Seek Midfield Depth.
In the wake of Ismael’s departure, the club is assessing several candidates for the managerial position on a permanent basis. Among those reportedly under consideration are Chris Coleman, Robbie Savage, and Slaven Bilic. However, Johnson, who recently guided the team to a vital 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, is focused on preparing his squad for the challenging away fixture at Carrow Road, where Blackburn and Norwich are separated by just a single point in the league standings. Read more about Cordoba Shines as Clement's Tactics Transform Norwich Defence.
“I love the role I have,” Johnson stated during an interview with BBC Radio Lancashire. “The senior board have asked me to step in just for tonight. I'll just take it on a day-by-day basis. We go in tomorrow with the players to recover.”
As he takes on this temporary role, Johnson's immediate objective will be to analyse the previous match before shifting his focus towards Norwich. Acknowledging the emotional toll that accompanies a managerial change, he remarked, “It's never easy when someone leaves; it’s been difficult for everyone.” Read more about Toure Targets Success as Norwich City Move Completes.
Johnson praised his players for their professionalism amidst the upheaval. “The players showed great professionalism and turned their focus on what was important, which was the game,” he observed. “If I'm honest, I didn't speak to the whole group, but I spoke to the senior pros along with some of the senior staff at the club."
The upcoming fixture against Norwich City presents a significant opportunity for Blackburn to strengthen their position above the relegation zone. Reflecting on his past experiences in similar situations, Johnson hinted at the inherent challenges of navigating such uncertainty. “Most of them have been in this position before. It's not nice but it's football, so we just had to quickly turn our attention to tonight and get the three points and they did that,” he commented.
As Blackburn prepares to face the Canaries, Johnson's ability to maintain squad focus will be crucial. With the stakes high and pressure mounting, both teams will be eager to secure vital points as the season progresses.