Former Celtic manager emerges as a surprising contender for Blackburn Rovers role amid financial issues.

Former Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has unexpectedly emerged as a candidate for the vacant Blackburn Rovers managerial position, with reports suggesting he could be in line for a surprising return to Ewood Park.

Mowbray, who previously spent five years managing Blackburn, enjoyed a productive spell with the club. During his time in charge, he guided Rovers back to the Championship after earning promotion from League One and helped establish them as a competitive and stable side in England’s second tier. While his tenure at Blackburn is remembered positively, his period at Celtic was far less successful. The experienced coach lasted only one season in Glasgow before being dismissed following a disappointing campaign.

Over the course of his lengthy managerial career, the 62-year-old has taken charge of several clubs, including Hibernian, West Bromwich Albion, Coventry City, and Sunderland. His extensive experience in English and Scottish football makes him a familiar and respected figure within the game, and his name has now resurfaced as Blackburn continue their search for a new head coach.

The managerial vacancy at Blackburn arose after Michael O’Neill departed the club at the conclusion of the season. O’Neill opted to leave his role in order to focus on his international commitments with Northern Ireland. His exit has prompted Blackburn’s hierarchy to begin evaluating potential replacements, and several notable names have been linked with the position.

Among those reportedly under consideration is former West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic. The Croatian coach is believed to be Blackburn’s preferred choice for the role. Former Rangers boss Russell Martin has also been mentioned as a possible candidate, while other managers have been discussed as the search process continues.

However, financial complications appear to be creating obstacles in Blackburn’s pursuit of Bilic. According to well-known journalist Alan Nixon, negotiations between the club and the former Croatia international have encountered difficulties, opening the possibility for Mowbray to re-enter the picture.

Writing on Patreon, Nixon explained that Blackburn are eager to appoint Bilic and that the manager is interested in returning to football after spending a couple of years away from the game. Despite the mutual interest, discussions have reportedly become complicated due to Bilic’s contractual demands.

Nixon claimed that Bilic is seeking a substantial financial guarantee in the event that the appointment does not work out. Specifically, the Croatian is said to want compensation equivalent to two years of salary should his tenure come to an early end. While Blackburn are prepared to offer an attractive salary package to secure his services, club officials are understood to be concerned by the scale of the requested settlement.

The journalist further suggested that Blackburn’s owners, Venkys, have been reluctant to provide detailed assurances regarding the resources that would be available to the new manager. Bilic is reportedly seeking greater clarity on transfer budgets and financial backing before making a final decision. The uncertainty surrounding these matters has added another layer of complexity to the negotiations.

As talks with Bilic continue without a resolution, Blackburn are exploring alternative options. This development has reportedly brought Mowbray back into contention despite earlier indications that he was not among the leading candidates for the role.

Mowbray’s most recent managerial position came at West Bromwich Albion, another club where he had previously enjoyed success. His return to The Hawthorns generated optimism among supporters, but results failed to improve sufficiently. Following a disappointing sequence of performances, West Brom dismissed him in April 2025 after only four months in charge.

Since leaving West Brom, Mowbray has remained out of work. Nevertheless, his strong association with Blackburn and his previous achievements at Ewood Park could make him an appealing option if the club decides to move in a different direction. Nixon indicated that Blackburn have already reached out to the experienced manager to gauge his interest in a potential return.

According to the report, Mowbray was initially discounted as a candidate, but circumstances have changed as discussions with Bilic have become increasingly complicated. Blackburn are now believed to be assessing whether Mowbray would be both willing and physically able to take on the challenge. If he is interested in returning and feels ready for the role, his candidacy could gather momentum in the coming days.

Nixon stated that communication has been established with Mowbray as club officials seek to understand his current situation and appetite for another spell in charge. The prolonged nature of the negotiations with Bilic has encouraged Blackburn to consider contingency plans, and Mowbray appears to be one of the most realistic alternatives available.

The report also noted that other managers remain under consideration. Russell Martin, who previously managed Rangers, has been linked with the Blackburn job. However, Martin is reportedly close to securing a move to Leicester City and has also attracted attention from clubs overseas. As a result, his chances of taking charge at Ewood Park may be diminishing.

Another name mentioned is Marti Cifuentes, who has earned recognition for his managerial work in recent years. Although Blackburn have considered him as a possible candidate, Nixon suggested that he currently appears to be an outsider in the race compared with other contenders.

With Bilic’s demands presenting challenges and rival candidates potentially moving elsewhere, the situation remains fluid. Blackburn’s board must now decide whether to continue negotiations with their preferred target or pursue a different option altogether.

For many supporters, the prospect of Mowbray returning to the club would represent an intriguing development. His previous spell brought stability and progress, and he remains a respected figure among sections of the fan base. While no decision has yet been made, his re-emergence as a contender has added a fresh twist to Blackburn’s managerial search.

As the process unfolds, attention will remain focused on whether the club can overcome the financial hurdles involved in appointing Bilic or whether Mowbray’s history with Blackburn ultimately leads to a dramatic reunion. For now, the experienced former Celtic boss appears firmly back in the conversation as Blackburn seek the right individual to lead the team into the future.