Blackburn want Maradona as their new coach

London: Blackburn Rovers' owners have revealed that they held talks about the possibility of Diego Maradona succeeding Sam Allardyce.

It has been confirmed that Steve Kean shall remain in charge of first team duties until the end of the campaign, but chairwoman of Rovers owners Venky's Anuradha Desai has declared that the club are taking the former Argentina coach into serious consideration.

"We thought about Maradona as a coach after we took over," she told The Mirror.

"Talks were at the initial stage then, but there is no development on that front yet."

"For now, the current coach will be the manager till the end of the season."

"There is no question of signing anyone for such a short time."

It is well known that Maradona is keen for a Premier League adventure after leaving his position as coach of Argentina and Rovers' new owners want an iconic name, as well as someone who plays attractive football.

Desai added: "Kean is well connected with the game and the players as well. We have full faith that he will do the best job and keep the team motivated."

"He works long hours and is talented at his job. He also works well with our very skilful young players – and that is important."

Desai, a member of the Rao family, defended the company's decision to sack Sam Allardyce, but also hoped that current Blackburn chairman John Williams would stay and give a helping hand in running the club.

She said: "We have not taken any hasty decision in replacing the manager with the coach. It was a long, pending issue and it's a calculated risk.

"I don’t want to get into why we were unhappy with Allardyce, or any kind of negative remarks.

"John Williams is close to Allardyce but he is very much with us and he has not expressed any willingness to quit. His position in the team is safe."