Jon Dahl Tomasson: Blackburn Rovers in ‘very serious situation’, says head coach
Blackburn Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson says he offered to leave the club last summer following cuts to the playing budget.
They are 18th in the Championship following Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by QPR – and have only taken two points from the past eight league games.
Tomasson did not attend Friday’s pre-match news conference, which was said to be a club decision.
Asked if Rovers are in crisis, he said: “It’s a very serious situation.”
The Dane added: “But nothing has changed, it was also very serious in the summer when suddenly there was a hand grenade that changed everything with the cutting of the budget.
“That’s probably why [chief executive] Steve Waggott said [the job] first and foremost this season is to stay in the league. I’m a little more ambitious.”
Tomasson was appointed by Blackburn in June 2022 after winning two Swedish league titles with Malmo.
Rovers finished seventh last season, with goal difference only costing them a place in the play-offs.
But although they were as high as that at the end of November, Rovers have won only once in the past 11 league matches and are now just five points clear of the relegation places.
On his absence from media duties on Friday, Tomasson told BBC Radio Lancashire: “It’s not good when you’re not able to speak to the fans.
“The fans are the soul and the passion of the game and the heart of this football club, so we should always think about this, but it was a club decision and I have no comment to that decision.
“I said to the club last summer that this is a different situation, this is not what I signed up for. And I asked them if they wanted to find another one [head coach], we can terminate my contract, no problem, I don’t want money for that.
“Because there was a very difficult situation, I said if the project has changed, and [you need] a different coach for a new project, of course take one.
“They said, ‘No, please stay.’ Then I moved my family over here and put all my energy into Rovers, my wife and two children are here and I think about Rovers 24 hours a day.”
Blackburn collected £18m for Adam Wharton’s departure to Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day – a club record sale.
They signed Liverpool defender Billy Koumetio and Orlando City striker Duncan McGuire on loan, and Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck on a short-term deal.
Koumetio and Fleck were substitutes against QPR but Tomasson did not use them during the game.
“I’m a head coach – I get the players, I train the players. We have been stretched for a long time, so I’m pleased to see some players in the building,” Tomasson said.
“Please be patient with them, we will try to get them up to speed as quick as possible.”
Blackburn are next in action at home to Stoke City next Saturday.
