Slaven Bilic and fellow former West Brom boss in strong contention for Blackburn Rovers job

Slaven Bilic is a contender for the Blackburn Rovers job alongside another former West Bromwich Albion manager.

The Croatian managed the Baggies between 2019 and 2020, leading them back into the Premier League in his first campaign in charge.

He was sacked after a 1-1 draw with Manchester City in December 2020, with Albion sitting 19th in the top-flight.

The 57-year-old has since had roles with Beijing Guoan, Watford and Al-Fateh, but he parted ways with the Saudi Arabian club in August 2024.

He could be set to return to management after nearly two years away from the dugout, with one of West Brom's Championship rivals.

What other former West Brom boss is in contention at Blackburn?

Tony Mowbray is another former West Brom manager who could take the vacancy at Ewood Park.

The 62-year-old, who was sacked by Albion in April 2025, is rated a 6/1 contender for the post with one bookmaker, which is the same odds as Bilic.

Other contenders to become the permanent manager in Lancashire are favourite Gary Rowett (4/1), with David Wagner and Graham Alexander also at 6/1 in the betting.

Will Still and Chris Coleman are outsiders, with odds of 8/1, to be selected as the new Rovers boss.

How will West Brom fans react if they are appointed?

Baggies supporters have lots of love for Mowbray, as he won them promotion in his first stint in charge, but his second spell turned toxic and resulted in his sacking after his side missed out on the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Bilic is still popular in the Black Country, and many supporters wanted him to return as permanent manager, with the recent Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay debacles but Bilkul Football had other plans.

They would probably be unbothered, as they have their man in James Morrison, and he has impressed with the way he has stabilised the team, mostly in defence.

To see one of them in another dugout in the same league as the B71 side would be a weird feeling, but one that Baggies fans are used to by now.

The fact that both are strong contenders for the role, will likely not phase supporters of their former club for that reason.