Blackburn owners back Steve Kean

Pa
Monday 07 March 2011 14:13 GMT
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Kean took over from Sam Allardyce
Kean took over from Sam Allardyce

Blackburn owners Venky's have denied manager Steve Kean's job is under threat after a run of three Barclays Premier League defeats in four matches.

Former first-team coach Kean was appointed as the successor to Sam Allardyce in December despite no previous managerial experience and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract the following month.

Early results, which included a victory over Liverpool, were encouraging but Saturday's 3-2 loss to Fulham continued a worrying run that has left them only two points above the relegation zone.

Reports at the weekend suggested Kean had been summoned to a meeting with chairman Anuradha Desai in London but a spokesman for Indian poultry giants Venky's dismissed the claim and insisted the Scot's position is safe.

The spokesman told the Lancashire Telegraph: "We don't know why people keep writing these things or where they come from. I can say that speculation is wrong.

"We are happy to say Steve Kean still has our 100 per cent backing and there has been nothing like that going on at all. Mrs Desai has been in India, not London."

Blackburn co-owner Venkatesh Rao also gave his backing to Kean, telling Sky Sports News: "He is very much there, he has just signed a contract and we like him a lot, he is very enthusiastic and he is very positive."

Rao conceded the owners are worried by recent results but is optimistic the club are on the right track.

He added: "Yes, we are very concerned but we are now trying to improve all aspects. Plans are looking very positive and I am sure in the future we will do something better."

This afternoon Venky's issued an official statement via the club's website, www.rovers.co.uk, with Desai saying: "I do not know the source of these rumours but I would like to clarify that there is absolutely no truth in these reports.

"I would like to put on record that we have a contract with Steve Kean and he will continue in his present position with the club. There is no question of the manager being changed."

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