Venky's absence makes life tougher for Steve Kean says Kevin Gallacher
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Blackburn favourite Kevin Gallacher believes the abuse directed at manager Steve Kean is made worse due to the club's owners' absence from Ewood Park.
Kean received some vicious abuse during last night's 2-1 defeat to Bolton, which ensured Blackburn will spend Christmas Day bottom of the Barclays Premier League.
It seems inevitable the Scot will be sacked, yet in the immediate aftermath of the contest he declared his intention to continue in his role and claimed he would be "100% surprised" if the end came.
Yet, in denying a board meeting had been planned, Kean was also confirming no one from Venky's, the Indian poultry farmers who took control at Rovers last year, were actually present for what had been billed as a do-or-die game.
And it is this stance which Gallacher feels is damaging Kean, and Rovers.
"The whole situation is very confusing," the former Scotland international told Press Association Sport.
"The fans think Kean should be sacked, yet he came out in the aftermath of last night's game and said he still believed he would be there.
"Nobody knows whether there is a board meeting or not, and, if a decision is going to be taken, who will take it and who will say what has been done.
"Are the owners actually going to come over from India or just carry on regardless and try to get the wage bill down?
"In previous years we had (former chief executive) John Williams to calm everything down. But that doesn't exist now."
And, with the owners not present, the fans only have a single target for their ire.
"The fans are angry because the club was run so well for 20 years, one of the best run clubs in the Premier League," he said.
"Now that does not appear to be the case and they want to lash out.
"Normally it would be the chairman or the chief executive. In this instance it is the manager - and he is bearing the brunt of it all."
It is a pretty bleak picture for Rovers, who will be attempting to become only the second club, after West Brom, in the Premier League era to avoid relegation despite being bottom on Christmas Day.
Yet Gallacher believes it cannot all be attributed to Kean's lack of experience.
"Kenny Dalglish did the Double in his first year as manager," he said.
"What is experience? Do you need 10 years in the job?
"Steve Kean had experience as a player and a coach. I think he was experienced enough to step up.
"Unfortunately the reaction has been the same for a few months now.
"I just think more questions are being asked of him because the owners are not there."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments