Source: Daily_Mail
Blackburn Rovers chairwoman in fresh attack on sacked boss Sam Allardyce
Nothing summed up the bizarre state of affairs at Blackburn Rovers better than the main item on the club's own website on Wednesday, featuring rapper Akon and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis opening a fast-food restaurant in the Indian city of Pune. [LNB]Apart from the fact it belongs to new Blackburn owners Venky's, the only relevance to the Premier League club was a photograph of Akon holding a Rovers shirt and a passing reference to his friendship with El Hadji Diouf. [LNB]Heaven knows what the late Jack Walker would have made of it all. [LNB] Chicken superstars: Lennox Lewis (R) opens the Pune restaurant in India with rapper Akon and Blackburn's new owner Balaji Rao (C)[LNB]Another day of mixed messages from the Premier League's first Indian owners about who might succeed Sam Allardyce - and when - brought another unnecessarily brutal assessment of the axed Rovers boss by Venky's chairwoman Anuradha Desai, and a denial that their advisers Kentaro are calling the shots over transfer policy. [LNB]That was one of the main reasons behind Allardyce's departure, with the 56-year-old boss unhappy at being recommended player s attached to Kentaro's business partner SEM. The situation is now believed to have attracted the interest of the Premier League. [LNB]However, Desai defended Venky's over the accusations of interference and then came out fighting with a fierce attack on Allardyce's own transfer record during his two years in charge. [LNB]Rover and out: Blackburn denied they will appoint Diego Maradona[LNB]'This team should be capable of finishing fifth to seventh and it should not always be fighting for survival,' she said. [LNB]'I don't think this team deserves that. In that, Sam didn't fit in. My father once told me that out of 10 decisions you must get at least seven right. You can get two or three wrong - we're not gods. [LNB]'But to get nine or 10 wrong is not good and things have been going wrong with transfers, that's a fact. [LNB]'Kentaro are our main consultants butSam had the final call. At no time would any decisions have been taken with respect of buying or selling players unless sanctioned by the manager. But we didn't even get as far as discussing any names with him.We certainly don't have an exclusive deal with Kentaro.' [LNB]After initially indicating that first-team coach Steve Kean would be in charge for up to two months until a permanent appointment could be made, Desai said Venky's were looking at an Englishman who had played in the Premier League and that 'the name will be finalised in 10 days'. [LNB]In another interview she said the process could take 'at least three months or maybe two-and-a-half months', and then elsewhere said that if Kean does well 'there is no doubt in our mind he would be the manager forever'.[LNB] In fact, the only certainty is that it will not be Argentina legend Diego Maradona. [LNB]'No, no, no, he's not being considered now or ever,' she insisted. [LNB]'There is nothing we are having to do with Maradona.' [LNB]Venky's announced on Wednesday that they are building a football academy in Pune. They are also believed to be considering X Factor-style auditions for local youngsters in Blackburn, which has a large Asian population, in the hope of seeing an Indian play for Rovers. [LNB] Join the club: Akon, a good friend of Rovers star El-Hadj Diouf, poses with the Blackburn shirt[LNB]Desai said: 'Wouldn't it be nice if the football world embraced the opportunity that India, with a population of 1.4 billion, could bring not only to Blackburn Rovers, but to football in general in opening up the territory? [LNB]'The dream is one day of having an Indian international playing for Blackburn. If India can produce a Tendulkar in cricket, why not a Beckham or a Rooney?' [LNB] Blackburn rule out Maradona swoop as Eriksson snubs Ewood chanceJason Roberts: If new Blackburn owners want a top five finish that's great for fans and playersBlackburn in meltdown after owners reveal reasons behind Allardyce axeHeadless chickens: Blackburn sack Sam Allardyce leading to outrage from players and fansBLACKBURN ROVERS FC
