Rovers boss Bowyer going nowhere, says Shaw (From This Is Lancashire)

Rovers boss Bowyer going nowhere, says Shaw

9:00am Tuesday 3rd June 2014 in Sport

BLACKBURN Rovers say there is no need to offer Gary Bowyer a new contract after the manager reiterated his commitment to the club.

Bowyer was linked with the vacancy at Leeds United at the weekend after guiding Rovers to eighth place in the Championship during the 2013/14 campaign.

But Rovers insist they have had no approach from Leeds and their new Italian owner Massimo Cellino, and are not worried about losing their manager.

Bowyer yesterday issued a statement confirming he was ‘fully committed to building on the foundations put in place over the past 12 months’.

Bowyer signed a 12-month rolling contract when he was appointed as permanent boss last summer and, unmoved by the Leeds links, managing director Derek Shaw says there is no need for talk about a new deal.

“That would be more with discussions with the owners, that type of decision isn’t mine, but I don’t think we’ve ever really looked into that whatsoever,” he said.

“Gary is happy and we’re happy.

“Even when you have a three-year deal or a six-year deal there is normally a period of settlement, which is usually 12 months or 18 months.

“It doesn’t make a massive difference, 12 months’ compensation would have to be paid of settlement, which is usually 12 months or 18 months.

“It doesn’t make a massive difference, 12 months’ compensation would have to be paid by any club who wanted to take him and I don’t really know whether the likes of Leeds United are in that position.

“But we don’t really want to go there, we’re quite happy with our manager. We’ve had no contact at Blackburn Rovers over Gary and I very much doubt that we will do.

“I’d be amazed if the next manager of Leeds United isn’t an Italian coach. I’m sure that’s the way they will go.”

Bowyer said: “I recently met with the owners in India and those discussions were both positive and constructive.

“I am fully committed to building on the foundations we have put in place over the past 12 months.

“There is a strong sense of unity with all concerned at Blackburn Rovers and I look forward to that continuing as we plan for next season.”

Bowyer is currently working on assembling his squad for next season and yesterday allowed Alan Judge (below) to join Brentford for an undisclosed fee, with the midfielder signing a three-year deal at Griffin Park after a successful loan spell in the capital.

Judge told the Lancashire Telegraph last week that he wanted to play regular football next season.

“I have no doubts that he will make a significant impact in the Championship,” said Brentford boss Mark Warburton.

“There is no doubt that many clubs were seeking his services.”

Rovers recently transfer listed six players as they attempt to fall into line with the Football League’s financial fair player regulations, but Shaw says those regulations could make it difficult to find buyers.

He expects that Rovers will be unable to reduce their wage bill sufficiently to avoid a transfer embargo when the new rules kick in on January 1.

“I would be surprised if we can do that in time for January,” Shaw said.

“It’s a difficult market at the moment because even if they have the money, owners are being forced into much tighter budgets because of the fair play rules, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

“We had and we still have players who are on big money who are not in the team so we’ve had to make settlements and bring new players in.

“We’ve gone a long way down that road, but there’s still a long way to go.”