Blackburn’s Indian owners Venky’s
In a rare public statement, the Rao family, who acquired the team in 2010, claimed that the club’s relegation was only an anomaly.
Venky’s, the Indian owners of Blackburn Rovers, have expressed their “deep hurt” following the club’s startling relegation to England’s third division for the first time since 1980.
On Sunday, the final day of the season, Blackburn, who were crowned English champions 22 years ago after they famously defeated Manchester United to win the Premier League, were humiliatingly eliminated from the Championship.
Rovers defeated Brentford 3-1, but Tony Mowbray’s team was unable to get out of the bottom three thanks to wins by Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City.
The strikers Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, who combined scored 49 goals for Blackburn during their championship-winning season, blamed Venky’s, with Shearer saying they “deserved it.”
Since taking over the club in 2010 while it was still in the Premier League and firing Sam Allardyce to announce their arrival, the Rao family has made a number of terrible moves.
Venky’s made a rare public statement on Monday in an attempt to persuade their detractors that the team’s relegation is only an isolated incident. Venky’s has been attacked by Blackburn supporters who want them to sell the club.
The statement said, “Blackburn Rovers’ owners would want to officially express their gratitude for manager Tony Mowbray’s efforts since joining the squad, which has resulted in a marked improvement in team performance and outcomes.
“We will continue to be fully behind him going forward. The players’ bravery and yesterday’s victory over Brentford were not enough to keep the team in the Championship; other outcomes saw them demoted.
“Yes, this is a very terrible circumstance, and the events that have occurred have hurt us terribly. We feel the same way as those who have supported us.
“Notwithstanding this temporary setback, we are confident that the collective efforts of the team, under Tony’s leadership, will enable the club to achieve promotion back to the Championship next season.
“We have all witnessed the events of recent years, where teams have been relegated but have turned their clubs around and emerged stronger, and we are determined to see Blackburn Rovers do the same.”
