Why ‘stability’ is key for Ismael and Blackburn Rovers this summer
Valerien Ismael says “stability” is key for Rovers next season as the head coach aims to build on what he has learnt about his squad over the past few months.
Ismael’s men finished the campaign strongly, winning four of their final six matches and narrowly missing out on the play-offs.
Rovers have not yet made any announcements regarding the futures of Tyrhys Dolan, Andi Weimann, Danny Batth, Adam Forshaw and Ryan Hedges, whose deals expire this summer.
However, the deadline has now passed to inform the EFL which players they intend to keep and who they will be letting go.
Prior to Saturday’s deadline, Ismael admitted that the club’s business this summer would depend on how many of the quintet they can keep at Ewood Park.
READ MORE: Four positives for Blackburn Rovers to build on after play-off near miss
“I’ve learned about the players. Reliability is very important for a manager, especially when you are going through those bad times,” he told the club.
“At the same time, we need to add some profile of what we don’t have in the team to ensure we can compete better.
“A lot will depend on whether we can extend contracts or not, and I think the market with negotiations will actually dictate what we will do.
“We will have some business to do but I don’t want that big turnaround. We have a lot of trust in the players and – with a good pre-season and being clearer with the principles – I think we will be in a good place for the upcoming season.
“The main thing is to have stability in this team and identify the right decisions. When everything is in place and with fewer injuries, we can compete and we can compete well. We have a positive view for next season.”
Rovers boss Ismael eyes summer of stability
A sea of red – Lewis Hamilton revels in reception from Ferrari fans at Imola
Lewis Hamilton basked in an “unbelievable” connection with the Ferrari fans after recovering from an awful qualifying to finish fourth in his first home race for the Scuderia.
The seven-time world champion admitted he was “devastated” after being eliminated in the second part of qualifying on Saturday to line up 12th on the grid, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
But the 40-year-old showed great pace amid a chaotic Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, fighting through a virtual and full safety car to come home just one place adrift of the podium.
Hamilton was thrilled to offer some joy to the 242,000 fans at Imola, almost all of whom were backing the Scuderia.
The first home race with the Team ❤️🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/5W8EkDaWOr
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 18, 2025
“It’s been incredible, what an amazing experience,” Hamilton said.
“Already just like on the drivers’ parade lap, all the drivers were all doing their normal talking, but I really wanted to see what… I even took a picture of where there’s a memorial of Ayrton (Senna).
“Just a sea of red everywhere. It was just really very reminiscent of when I was growing up watching, sitting at home on my couch, with a bacon sandwich watching Michael Schumacher here racing with Ferrari and seeing the connection he had with Ferrari.
“It was quite an incredible experience to think that I’m now here in one of the two Ferraris and having that connection with such a passionate group of people. It’s unbelievable.
“The love that the Italian fans have – for Silverstone it’s a connection more so with me, being a Brit, which is super special and I love it.
