Portsmouth relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers sack manager Valerian Ismael as survival battle intensifies
Pompey sit four points above the relegation zone following Saturday’s 3-0 win over West Brom.
All eyes are currently on the transfer window at Fratton Park as Pompey brace for a frenetic end to the transfer window.
However, there has been major movement in the managerial market at the foot of the Championship table involving the Blues’ relegation rivals.
Blackburn Rovers have sacked Valerien Ismael, with the Frenchman departing after just under 12 months at the Ewood Park helm.
Rovers occupy a spot in the Championship bottom three and are three points adrift of West Brom from safety following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Hull City.
The late disappointment against the Tigers marked the end of the former Barnsley boss’ tenure in Lancashire, with the loss continuing their poor run of results.
Blackburn have won just one of their previous 15 matches in all competitions, which also included a 2-1 defeat to Pompey at Fratton Park before Christmas.
Mousinho's men sit four points above the managerless Rovers at present and crucially hold two games in hand on their relegation rivals.
Blackburn boss ready to ‘take the bullet’
Following Blackburn’s defeat to Hull on Saturday, their third in four league matches, Ismael admitted he was braced to ‘take the bullet’ given his side’s disappointing run of form.
He told the Lancashire Telegraph: ‘You can tell me every word you want, you're right. Everything, I understand.
‘It's terrible for me as well, the run of games we're not winning. It's just terrible again and again and again. But we go again, we never give up.
‘Now January is finished, February has started and stay positive. It's another game and try to build on that performance, and make sure that we can have the turnaround on Tuesday.”
“This is the job. You're not winning games and as a manager, when you sign your contract and you're doing the job, you know that if you're not (getting) results then you have to face, to take the bullet, this is my job.
‘I'm not upset against anyone. I understand the frustration. If it's the solution to replace (me) then OK. The most important thing is that the Rovers win, this is what we want.
‘I try to do my best, I give my best every time, but it seems complicated. But as I say, now it's focus on the next game.
‘I know the rules in football. I'm not upset against you (the media), against the fans. I don't take it personally. If you're not winning then you have to deal with those situations as a manager.
Pompey make the trip to Ewood Park to face their relegation rivals on March 7.
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