10 reasons why Steve Kean should be sacked as Blackburn Rovers manager

Steve Kean has come under intense pressure from both the media and the club’s supporters, with many believing that he should be removed from his role as Blackburn Rovers manager. But why is Steve Kean not up to the job, and why does instant action need to be taken?

 

1. He will struggle to ever win over the fans – It seems inevitable that Steve Kean will struggle to convince the fans that he is the man for the job. Everyone was taken aback by his appointment, and he has done little during his spell in the hot-seat to prove that he was the correct choice to replace Sam Allardyce. Football is dictated by its audience and if the supporters continue to vent their frustrations regarding Kean, then it seems inevitable that sooner or later the inexperienced manager will be shown the door.

2. He lacks the reputation to attract quality players – Kean baffled many when he was promoted as the Rovers manager, mainly due to his obscure footballing CV, which led to him taking on a coaching role at Ewood Park. With Venky’s determined to attract star quality to Ewood Park, questions need to be raised as to whether Kean has the reputation across the world to convince players that they should come to Rovers.

3. Poor fitness levels within the squad – When managing a small town club within the Premiership’s elite, it is of imperative importance that the manager manages to gain every possible advantage in order to stay competitive and upset club’s that have had more money lavished upon it. However the fitness levels seem inadequate under the current regime, with an unparalleled amount of strains and pulls being perhaps the result of poor preparation, whilst in the vast majority of games under Kean the opposing side has taken authority and a stranglehold of the match during its latter stages, something a more experienced manager would look to rectify.

4. Poor organisation – Despite being lauded as an impressive coach, Kean seems unable to organise his line-up, leaving noticeable gaps in between the defence and the midfield. Rovers were known as unforgiving from set-pieces under Sam Allardyce, however that strength has deteriorated under Kean, whilst Kean show the naivety to play a side that often leaves its full backs exposed whilst fails to press the ball adequately.

5. The internal problem of agents – Kean’s appointment was intensely criticised when it emerged he is represented by the same agency as the people who arranged the sale of the club to Venky’s. Since his appointment, a whole host of problems seem to be attributed to the costly use of agents, and sacking Kean may enable the club to remove the internal disease and any 3^rd party infringement issues.

6. The club’s media image – Although many feel that Kean is fine when it comes to press conferences, and he is optimistic albeit slightly unrealistic, Kean has been guilty of making the club a laughing stock in the media. He has also been convicted of drink driving, something he lied about in court, whilst claims of untold transfer kitties have yet to be fulfilled.

7. The numerous unemployed managers with Premier League experience – If Rovers were to part company with Steve Kean, there is a plethora of names that may not all be exciting names, but have crucial Premier League experience and are unemployed. Mark Hughes, Martin O’Neill, Claudio Ranieri, Rafa Benitez and Alan Curbishley would all be significant upgrades on Kean if any would be willing to join and work under the Venky’s umbrella. If not, the owners could plump for a younger face such as Paul Lambert, Simon Grayson or Gus Poyet, or someone with Premier League experience that may seem more realistic such as David Jones, Graeme Souness, Stuart Pearce or Gianfranco Zola.

8. An inability to drop under-performing, senior players – One thing that has frustrated the supporters during Kean’s time in charge is his blind loyalty to senior players that have perhaps not been performing to an acceptable standard. Ryan Nelsen has been strongly affected by injuries yet has been chosen when not 100% fit, whilst the likes of Morten Gamst Pedersen and Jason Roberts have been picked despite adding little to the side’s performance.

9. Poor use of substitutions – One aspect of management that perhaps shows that Kean isn’t suited to making the final decisions is his questionable use of subs. He has often made changes that have made little sense, either costing the team a result they were on course for or alternatively failing to use players in reserve that could make a difference in attack.

10. His abysmal record! – Undoubtedly the most important reason to sack Steve Kean is his win record, which is rather pitiful and stretched over a full season, would undoubtedly confine Rovers to relegation. Kean has won 20% of his 25% league matches, a record that is much less favourable when compared to his predecessor Sam Allardyce, and there has been little to suggest that his record will be changed any time soon. Kean has made a host of excuses but patience is wearing thin, and if Kean isn’t sacked sooner rather than later, the club may be prematurely on track for relegation. His record speaks for itself.