Blackburn extend Kean stay

Steve Kean has signed a new contract with Blackburn Rovers in a deal that will keep him in charge at Ewood Park until June 2013.

The Blackburn manager was name interim boss after the sacking of Sam Allardyce in December, but the club’s new Indian owners, Venky’s, have now moved to keep the 43-year-old on a long-term basis.

“I am delighted to commit my future to Rovers at the start of what I see as a massively exciting new era for the club,” Kean told the club’s official website.

“The owners have shown great faith in me and I will do all I can to repay them.”

“This is a great opportunity for me and I intend to grasp it with both hands.”

Venky’s chairperson Anuradha Desai said the group had been impressed by Kean’s managerial ability, and were happy to extend his contract beyond the end of the season.

“We have great confidence in Steve, someone who impresses us with his work ethic, enthusiasm, positivity and football philosophy,” Desai said.

“We feel that the playing squad is in very safe and capable hands and we look forward to working with him.”

“Stability is very important to us and this contract is further evidence of our desire to achieve such stability at the club.”