Bring it on: Shebby Singh does not want anyone to be
discouraged from applying for the job
Shebby Singh walks over to Steve Kean’s old desk
at Blackburn’s training ground and points to a motivational
magazine’s tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson pinned up on the
noticeboard.
‘What an interesting article — pity he didn’t put any of
Ferguson’s methods into practice,’ said Blackburn’s mischievous
global advisor.
That is the beauty of Singh. Every conversation, no matter
how serious or light-hearted, always has a sting in the
tail.
Singh is the eyes and ears of Blackburn’s owners, Venky’s,
director of football in all but name and carrying the
responsibility of restoring the club to the Barclays Premier
League.
A former professional player in Malaysia, he quit as a TV
pundit in Singapore with ESPN to take up his Ewood Park role in
June.
In the mornings he looks like one of the coaches, marching
on to the pitches at Brockhall Village in Blackburn-branded
training gear, bearing his initials, and muddy boots.
‘When I got here it was like a holiday home,’ he said.
‘Too many fat cats who were overpaid and underperforming. That’s
changing.
‘I watch training but I don’t want to be the manager. I’m
here to support the players.’
After lunch, he puts on a suit and drives over to Ewood
for an afternoon of conference calls and emails with his Venky’s
bosses at their enormous chicken plant in Pune, India.
‘Everyone knows there has been a situation between the
owners and the fans and the previous manager, but they are on our
side now,’ he said.
Discussion: Neil Ashton with Singh
Gone: Steve Kean has left
‘You cannot insult the owners because they are
chicken farmers. You will always get people with their sick minds
and silly jokes but it does get upsetting. You do not insult
someone’s profession or make fun of it, that is
unacceptable.’
Singh himself has been fair game since he told Blackburn
fans Kean would be sacked if he lost three games in a row in the
Championship and referred to Morten Gamst Pedersen as a
‘pensioner’. He is aware of his reputation but his enthusiasm and
passion for this unusual role rubs off on everyone with whom he
comes into contact.
He stops, smiles, shakes hands and talks to everyone, from
bumping into caretaker manager Eric Black in the corridor to the
ladies working on reception.
‘The atmosphere around the place has been lifted, there is
a feeling of relief,’ said Singh. ‘Against Wolves in our last game
there were 4-5,000 extra fans and they are behind the team again. I
haven’t heard a single grouse or complaint from them and they are
more understanding.
‘I can safely say the worst is behind us. We went through
a difficult period in the club’s history but we are over
that.’
Kean left the night before Blackburn drew 1-1 against
Charlton on September 29 and Singh has the power to appoint the
next manager.
Tim Sherwood, who captained the team which won the Premier
League title in 1995, tops a list of possibles that includes wild
card Henrik Larsson.
Singh said: ‘We don’t want anyone to be frightened or
worried about coming here. The objective is to build a team but
it’s not like going to a supermarket and picking a manager off the
shelf.
‘They don’t have to worry, I’m not going to be the
manager, I wouldn’t insult other managers or coaches. I am in a
supportive role. I’m not here to breathe down the new manager’s
neck, I’ll be his biggest supporter.
‘The new manager must understand he will not have two or
three seasons to build the club — he will be under pressure
straight away.
‘If he doesn’t get it right we will have a chat about
things. He doesn’t have to worry about losing three games in a row
at the start — because he’s new we will give him a few
more.’
Managing Blackburn should be a prestigious job but Kean’s
replacement will inherit a team playing Championship football for
the first time in 11 years.
Last year’s £49.9million wage bill has been swollen by the
£40,000-a-week contract signed by Jordan Rhodes in August and debts
of £36m increased with the striker’s £8m transfer from
Huddersfield.
They are ninth in the Championship and it is not good
enough for a club with Rhodes, Pedersen, Paul Robinson, Nuno Gomes,
Danny Murphy and David Dunn at their disposal.
Chance: A new boss will be given time to settle - but
not too much
Venky’s have promised financial support, footing
the bills in return for a manager who can win promotion this
season. That is Singh’s immediate target but convincing fans who
waved ‘Venky’s out’ banners last season is another
priority.
Sir Jack Walker, the steel magnate who pumped money into
his hometown team, is the benchmark at Blackburn. Nearly 20 years
on from that title- winning team and 12 years after he passed away,
Walker is still revered in the area.
Singh said: ‘When there is a change in ownership there are
expectations and only time will allow my bosses to be spoken of in
the same breath as Sir Jack. That is the owners’ ambition and, if
we can surpass it eventually, that would be something.
‘Managers want to be remembered like Sir Matt Busby or
Bill Shankly, owners want to leave a legacy for the supporters and
the town.
‘We hope we can stand alongside him. We already have a
stand in Ronnie Clayton’s name. If we get promoted, it will be too
soon to think of naming “The Shebby Stand”.’
If they don’t make it, he knows it may be his last
stand.