| Why Newell? | A former Rover's striker, Newell has established himself as one of the brightest managerial prospects in the lower divisions. Formerly a promotion winner with Hartlepool, and now bossing League One leaders Luton Town, Newell was a member of Blackburn's championship-winning squad of 1994/95. He is fondly remembered at Ewood Park, not least for scoring a 10-minute hat-trick against Rosenborg in the Champions League. However, he may still be too raw for a top job, in terms of experience, but Rovers cannot fail to be impressed by his record to date.
|
Following yesterday's (Monday) announcement that Blackburn manager Graeme Souness would be filling the vacant managerial post at Newcastle United, there's been speculation that the Luton manager could go to the Lancashire club. However, speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio earlier today, Mike Newell confirmed that he won't be joining Blackburn Rovers. He says he's neither applied for the vacant manager's position or been offered the job by the club. Blackburn chief executive John Williams is expected to draw up a short list of candidates later today. Mike Newell is just one name in a list of former Blackburn players, now in football management. Wales manager Mark Hughes is the 11-2 favourite to replace Souness, with caretaker boss Tony Parkes at 14-1. Following Tuesday night's Carling Cup match, Newell told BBC Three Counties Ian Pearce that he hadn't linked himself with the job. "I haven't linked myself with it [the job]" he said. "If anybody else is linking me with it, it's flattering but that's all it is. I'm in a job at Luton, I'm enjoing it and I will get on with that job." | 
