"It's a risk" - Exclusive: Pundit reacts to shock Wayne Rooney, Blackburn Rovers news | OneFootball

Reports have linked the Manchester United legend to the job at Ewood Park

Wayne Rooney has emerged as a surprising candidate to take the Blackburn Rovers job, according to TalkSport.

Reports emerged on Tuesday afternoon that the Rovers hierarchy would consider the former Plymouth Argyle, Birmingham City and Derby County manager to take the reins at Ewood Park, if Valerien Ismael is relieved of his duties.

The Frenchman has had a difficult spell in Lancashire, winning just the most recent of his eight games in charge, after taking over from John Eustace in February.

EFL pundit breaks down the risks of Rooney taking the Blackburn Rovers job

In light of the news, Football League World spoke exclusively with former Wycombe Wanderers defender turned EFL pundit Joe Jacobson on his thoughts about a Rooney appointment at Rovers, and whether it would be a risky choice for the Lancashire side.

“The Wayne Rooney situation - I think people want to get him involved, because if he does do well, and it's Wayne Rooney, he can put bums on seats and he can create a whole kind of atmosphere around the place which other managers probably couldn't do.” Jacobson told FLW.

“But I also think that the way Blackburn have gone since John Eustace left and Valerien Ismael came in is - it's not been very good - they're a club that was for half a season in and around the playoffs and since then it's not done well.”

“Wayne Rooney doesn't have the best record in his last couple of jobs in the Championship so it probably is a risk.”

“But if you can get a Wayne Rooney that does well, who starts winning games, you can attract players, you can attract fans, so I understand why clubs do want to go for him and they're really desperate for it to work.”

“He's obviously desperate to prove himself as well, if he does go there it's probably going to be his last chance, I think, at that level to get into management.”

“So I do think it's a risk on everyone's part, but it's one maybe Blackburn are thinking that if we're just going to kind of survive and be a Championship club and try and build, then maybe Wayne Rooney could be the one that does that for us.”

Wayne Rooney would be poorly timed gamble for Blackburn Rovers

There’s no denying that while Wayne Rooney would be a high-profile appointment at Ewood Park, he would also be a high-risk one.

Since Valerien Ismael took over in February, Rovers have slumped down the Championship table, losing momentum and direction.

Supporters are still reeling from the abrupt departure of John Eustace, and the club’s hierarchy has seen its goodwill significantly erode in the weeks since.

In that context, experimenting with a manager who has struggled in his last two Championship roles feels like a gamble the club can scarcely afford. While Rooney’s name might generate headlines and short-term excitement, Rovers need stability, clarity, and a plan - not another leap into the unknown.

If the board are serious about rebuilding trust and pushing forward, they must weigh the long-term implications of this decision carefully. Right now, Blackburn Rovers don’t just need a boost - they need the right one.