Black joins Kean's relegation battle at Rovers

There is something slightly unsettling about Steve Kean going all gooey in public about the fact Sir Alex Ferguson rang the Blackburn manager to offer him support (Reuters)

Eric Black has been confirmed as Steve Kean's new assistant head coach at Blackburn Rovers.

Black, who worked with Steve Bruce at Sunderland, replaces Paul Clement, who left Ewood Park to join Paris St-Germain last week. He has held similar positions at Celtic and Birmingham City and had managerial spells at both Motherwell and Coventry City.

The Scot, 48, was temporarily in charge of Birmingham and Sunderland following Bruce's departure.