BLACKBURN Rovers have announced that Valerien Ismael has left his position as head coach by mutual consent on deadline day.

A 1-0 defeat at home by Hull on Saturday stretched Rovers’ winless run to eight matches in the Championship, which has seen them drop into the relegation zone, three points adrift of safety.

Ismael won just 11 of his 43 fixtures after being appointed 12 months ago and he has now parted ways with Blackburn, who revealed Dean Whitehead has also stepped away from his role as assistant head coach.

Rovers said in a statement: “The club will now begin the process of appointing a new head coach and will make no further comment until an appointment is confirmed.”

Tony Mowbray has been linked with a return to Ewood Park, having managed Blackburn between 2017 and 2022.

Saints are not due to play Blackburn Rovers again untul for Saturday, April 25, when the Ewood Park outfit visit St Mary’s.