What can West Brom fans expect from Valerien Ismael’s return to The Hawthorns?
Valerien Ismael’s return to The Hawthorns has been highly anticipated since West Brom’s Championship fixtures were released earlier in the summer.
The Baggies play Ismael’s Blackburn Rovers in their opening fixture of the 2025/26 campaign on Saturday (9 August), and supporters are unsure what to expect.
The two teams had contrasting ends to last season, with the Albion trailing away from the top six, and Rovers pushing for the playoffs.
Ryan Mason’s side have struggled in the transfer window, having made just three signings, leaving supporters worried for the game.
West Brom to expect ‘great mentality’ from Rovers
Blackburn’s summer transfer, much like West Brom’s, hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows.
Ismael has lost his best player in Callum Brittain to Middlesbrough, while Rovers have spent just £5million this summer.
While the Frenchman’s time at The Hawthorns ended sourly, he admitted during his time with Watford that he still follows the club.
“The experiences were brilliant – I always look for Barnsley’s results and for West Brom’s. I had a strong relationship with the players there. I stayed in touch with some players, and this is a great feeling,” he said after joining Watford in 2023.
- Ismael won 12 of 31 matches at West Brom and was sacked less than a year into his four-year deal
- West Brom were fifth when Ismael was dismissed
- His side was on a run of just one win in eight games
Ahead of a game against the Baggies while he was at Watford, Ismael downplayed the emotional aspect, stating he was “not emotional about it” and that it was “just the next Championship game.”
The 2-2 draw was the Blackburn bosses’ only game against the Albion, and he lamented the Hornets’ defensive mistakes but also noted that his team showed a “great mentality” during the game.
West Brom supporters can expect intensity and a heavy physical presence against Blackburn, but they could benefit from Ismael’s prominent lack of goal threat from his teams during his career.
Ismael could come back to haunt West Brom
Mason’s side have had a poor transfer window, which could haunt them in their opening game.
- Over the summer, Ismael participated in a video challenge to recognise Championship stadiums, but notably failed to identify The Hawthorns, drawing a reaction from West Brom fans
- Ismael’s average tenure across his managerial career is approximately 224 days.
Darly Dike and Tammer Bany are injured, leaving Aune Heggebo as the only viable option up front.
At the back, Tjoborn Heggem’s potential departure has caused issues, and in goal, Josh Griffiths has struggled.
While the visitors Blackburn haven’t spent much this summer, they have recruited six new players, and their depth could prove the difference against the Baggies.
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