Broughton sends classy message after Blackburn Rovers exit

The Rovers Director of Football left the club after talks with the board about his future. The club officially confirmed his exit on Saturday, with a short statement stating he'd left the club by 'mutual agreement'.

That decision was ultimately taken by Rovers, who decided a clean break was the best course of action ahead of the summer transfer window. 

Broughton responded with his own goodbye message, via Linkedin. He thanked the supporters, players and the backroom staff for their support during his time at Ewood Park. Perhaps conspicuous by its absence was any mention of the Rovers board. 

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He wrote: "Leading a Football department is the most privileged job anyone could ever have, especially when it belongs to the most successful town club in British football.

"This has been the most fulfilling two years of my career, but it has also had its challenges. In the face of these challenges, I have always strived to do my best and communicate in the interest of Blackburn Rovers, its values, and its supporters.

"With our long-term focus on trying to build a team centred around homegrown talent, we encountered well-documented challenges over the last year. 

"The decisions that have had to be made have been continual but despite this, we managed to fulfil the short-term aim set out to us at the beginning of the season – to remain in the Championship. However, I know that staying in the Championship is not enough for a Club of this size and history. 

"Hopefully, the financial platform that our player sales have generated over the past twelve months leaves a great platform to build the success that our supporters thoroughly deserve.

"Looking back on the highs, we achieved a huge amount in the last two years, and I am so proud of that. Of the four players that we signed with a significant transfer fee, two have won the Club’s Player of the Year for each of the past two seasons, both players who weren’t on the Club’s transfer lists when we joined. 

"We were proactive in contract renewals in order to give the club such a strong financial platform to now build from. We created clear pathways for our best academy players to play in the Championship earlier than any other team. We introduced a style of play which led to the club’s highest league finish for ten years along with the furthest progress in Cup competitions for fifteen. Finally, we set three records from the Club’s proud 149-year history: its largest-ever win, youngest-ever player and the record player sale.

"It is the amazing team of players and staff that achieved all of that, they have been some of the best people I have ever had the privilege of working with, and they are well-placed to take the Club forward. John and his team of coaches, Craig and the ground staff, Dave and catering, Paul and the kit room, Adam and analysis, Andy P and the medical staff, Karl and the performance team, Sean and the recruitment and data department, Les and Bev all work tirelessly for the Club. 

"Last but not least, Stuart and the huge team of staff at the academy whose achievements often go unrecognised and unrewarded but whose hard work over the last ten years has given so many of our academy graduates the chance to play for our first team and then on to clubs in the Premier League.

"For my part, I want to finish with a simple thank you to Blackburn Rovers supporters for giving the team such great support over the past two years. Wins against West Ham United, Leicester City (twice) and those narrowest of defeats against Sheffield United and Newcastle United will stay with us forever. Thank you and good-bye, Gregg."

Rovers have not ruled out appointing a replacement for Broughton but it's understood nobody is lined up ready to assume the role immediately.

Sean Kimberley remains Head of Recruitment and will work alongside head coach John Eustace and Chief Executive Steve Waggott in the transfer window.