Blackburn's co-owner has insisted the club is not for sale despite relegation from the Premier League.
Rao claims Hunt was not sacked due to leaked letter
Blackburn's co-owner has insisted the club is not for sale despite relegation from the Premier League.
Rovers fans continued their protests against club owners Venky's and manager Steve Kean before, during and after Monday's home defeat to Wigan that confirmed the club's fate.
But despite supporters imploring Venky's to sell the club, Venkatesh Rao claims the Indian poultry giants are at Ewood Park for the long-term.
Asked if Venky's were committed to Blackburn on a long-term basis, Rao told the
Times of India: "Yes, it is a company of ours and there is nothing whatsoever in (the speculation). These allegations are not correct."
Rao was also adamant deputy chief executive Paul Hunt had left the club in order to cut costs rather than because of a leaked letter that emerged earlier this week.
Hunt's letter revealed that he had asked the owners to sack Kean back in December and requested more money to help avoid relegation and the possibility of administration.
But Rao added: "It is not sacking because of that. Some staff have to go to bring the budget down, it is nothing to do with it (the letter)."
Criticism
The Venky's chief did admit that the owners had fully expected criticism from supporters in the wake of relegation and accepted they had a right to do so.
But he claims nobody is to blame for the dismal season the club has endured.
"We were relegated so naturally they are going to do that," he said. "We have to come out of this situation, that's the most important thing. The fans have the right to do what they want.
"It's bound to happen when someone loses that somebody criticises. We have to come out of this situation. Nobody is to be blamed."
Venky's continue to stand by Kean as manager but the Rovers boss confesses he does not know what sort of budget he will be working with next season.
Kean said: "I don't know to what extent we will have to cut costs. The budget is still (to) be agreed. That will be a process that happens as quickly as possible.
"I think what we have got to do is assemble a squad and keep the players we can keep. Certainly the young players that are coming through, there is going to be lots of interest because they have done so well.
"We have established players like Paul Robinson and Morten Pedersen that have only played at a high level. I don't know if there will be other interest, but in conversation with them they are just as devastated as everyone else.
"I have spoken at great length with the owners and that will continue over the next six or seven days. The only objective for the owners and myself is to build a squad, it is as simple as that."
