Rovers axe Hunt after leak

It emerged that even Blackburn's deputy chief executive wanted Steve Kean to be sacked

Sky Sports sources understand Blackburn have sacked deputy chief executive Paul Hunt following the leak of a letter revealing he wanted Steve Kean to leave last year.

Rovers' defeat at home to Wigan on Monday confirmed the club will drop out of the Premier League after a turbulent season marked by regular fan protests.

Anger has been directed at manager Steve Kean and owners Venky's, but it is the club's deputy chief executive who has been axed after it emerged he had called for Kean's sacking back in December.

"He has lost the crowd and... he has lost the dressing room as well. It is a shame and disappointing but we must act now to save the club."
Paul Hunt on Steve Kean in December 2011 Quotes of the week

The letter, obtained and reprinted by the Sporting Intelligence website, revealed that Hunt believed Kean had "lost the dressing room" and that action was needed to avoid relegation and subsequent administration.

Desperate

Hunt, who has been running Blackburn from Ewood Park since the exit of former chairman John Williams, said: "I have supported him from the start and have been desperate for him to do well.

"However, I am now of the opinion that it isn't working and he is ready to go.

"He has lost the crowd and, as a result of this evening's game (against Bolton), he has lost the dressing room as well. It is a shame and disappointing but we must act now to save the club.

"With the bank closing in, I fear they will look to foreclose and have the potential to implement financial restrictions upon the club that could, as a (worst-case) scenario, enforce administration."

The letter was written following Blackburn's defeat by Bolton in December but the beleaguered Kean managed to turn things around briefly with a win at Manchester United.

Ultimately, Hunt's concerns were proven correct but with the letter leaked into the public domain he is the one who has paid with his job.