Berg appointment was football decision, insists Blackburn Rovers chief (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Berg appointment was football decision, insists Blackburn Rovers chief
3:10pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in Sport
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
SHEBBY Singh insists Henning Berg’s appointment as Blackburn Rovers boss is solely a “footballing decision” after claiming his popularity among the Ewood Park faithful was not the key factor.
Rovers’ global advisor believes the club have found the right man to take them back into the Premier League at the first attempt after going through what he described as an “exhaustive criteria list”.
Berg became an Ewood darling during the 1990s after helping the club to lift the Premier League title, before returning to win promotion and lift the Worthington Cup.
But, while his past obviously helped, Singh insists Berg was selected on merit rather than any ‘cheap attempt’ to win the supporters around.
Singh said: “We went through quite an exhaustive criteria list. We deliberated on different groups of candidates and I think finally we have come to a conclusion where we have got the experience.
“Henning has seven years of experience and his stature as a player, not only with Blackburn Rovers, but with Manchester United, and when you work with the great managers there is a lot you take away from that. We arrived at a point where we said, we have found the right man.
“Henning’s appointment is not about healing any rift, his appointment is about what he can bring to the club as a manager, to the football team, to the players. The fact he has been successful here (as a player) obviously helps but no way is this anything but a football decision.
“We drew up a list of criteria that we were looking at and we tried to find the best individual who meets it.
“ Also lessons from the past are very important. We possibly rushed into a decision last time and we could not afford that.
“Credit to Eric Black, he steadied the ship and worked hard in difficult circumstances. It may have taken longer than usual but I don’t think it has been detrimental to the club.”
Singh confirmed Rovers did hold talks with Harry Redknapp’s representatives on Tuesday morning but admitted there were several names linked with the club that were just ‘media speculation’.
“We had a lot applicants and when it came down to the final shortlist we had five candidates on the list,” he said. “I must be honest and say a couple ruled themselves out. We stuck to the list.
“We didn’t think if one ruled themselves out we had to get another one.
“Maradona? Come on. He wouldn’t want to consider us even if we were interested, which we weren’t. Once again it was speculation.”
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (72)
3:23pm Fri 2 Nov 12
dallydally says...
3:32pm Fri 2 Nov 12
greenscreener says...
3:34pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Gaz M says...
3:39pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Ray Gunn says...
3:48pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Dan11 says...
1. Donut Kean is finally gone.
2. The Venkys are finally talking to the fans, through Shebby.
3. The Venkys are prepared to spend and spend big.
4. We have Jordan Rhodes
5. We now have a new manager, who is also a legend, it reminds me of when Mark Hughes joined as manager.
6. Donut Kean is finally gone.
3:49pm Fri 2 Nov 12
andyproc says...
3:50pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Duni Akwe Tu? says...
He works for the bald
Colin Hendry
We're truly appalled
3:54pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Ray Gunn says...
3:57pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Ray Gunn says...
4:13pm Fri 2 Nov 12
dangerous dave says...
!
Dont try pulling the wool over supporters who have forgotten more about football than you will ever know.
Yes all that you have done is appoint another so called experienced Manager on the 'cheap' - you cant fool us - if all the jig saw pieces are in place then there's no need for you to stay at Ewood so please on your bike elsewhere with your 'bedtime stories'!!!
The circus panto continues on with 'matinee and evening performances' in abundance!!!!
OUT WITH SHAW AGNEW SINGH BLACK AND HENDRY
5:23pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Rishtonian says...
dont think he is needed
5:24pm Fri 2 Nov 12
cedar67 says...
OUT WITH DANGEROUS DAVE
5:30pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Chrissaces says...
Shebby might be coming out with things left, right and centre... Maybe his part in the club is not really needed.. But what he does bring to the table is information between us and the owners, and it means Berg isnt going to Pune every other week!
Let him have his cake! lol
5:44pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Ianwhittam says...
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!
5:46pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Bangkok Rover says...
"We had one or two people that we talked to who, for whatever reason, got ruled in and ruled out.
"Henning contacted me personally probably seven or eight days after Steve left."
He added: "There is a gamble and I think it's become more or less common that I thought we probably wanted someone with experience at this level.
"But, without a doubt, I've no qualms with this appointment. I think he'll be wonderful for us."
5:52pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Abu dabi says...
5:54pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Bangkok Rover says...
Just when everyone's getting behind Berg. Wish you luck in your first game Henning!
6:02pm Fri 2 Nov 12
thresholdweller says...
6:13pm Fri 2 Nov 12
MerlinTheVoiceofReason2 says...
6:19pm Fri 2 Nov 12
dangerous dave says...
OUT WITH SHAW AGNEW SINGH BLACK HENDRY
6:41pm Fri 2 Nov 12
RUinsane says...
avic may have pulled off a masterstoke, as appointing Dick van Dyke as a manager will definitely bring the crowds flocking back.. Supercalafegolistxpe
alidocious will get everyone bouncing and when he breaks into Me ol Bam Boo it'll be like last night of the proms meets deliverance
Austin will go in January to fund that polish lads next lavish holiday.
I see van Dyke was talking about promotion, he is more likely to do a remake of that classic flying Pig movie, sh1tty sh1tty oink oink.
Chim Chiminee me old CHHHHHOOOOIIIIINNNNN
AA
6:49pm Fri 2 Nov 12
forever blue and white says...
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CLEAR OFF
Look at all the positive comments on here in the last 24 hours
You are so much in the minority that I am pretty sure no one wants to here your boring boring comments
Do us all a favour and do one - all 3 of you
Alternatively stay and support the new manager and the team
That is what fans do you know support the team
It is not just moan moan moan regardless of the subject
6:57pm Fri 2 Nov 12
kiwipom73 says...
Remember that Henning Berg is stepping into the mire Kean had left behind, especially in relation to players and supprt staff.
He & Black I feel would be a sensible move, until the end of the season...yet Hendry is not good for the club and obviously would never have got the position if not for his drinking mate.
YET, lets now show support and back to Manager & team 100%.
Yes, Singh....time to step back from the limelight, a move that will not come easy for you I know !!
6:59pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
.
Of all the managers they could have chosen they choose someone who was sacked from his last job for accruing 1 point in 8 games, who has been little more than a pundit on Norwegian TV for the last year and who has never managed in England before. The fact is...only a former teammate of Hendry's was ever gonna get the job - to keep him and Shebby in their high paid jobs. Anyone else would have wanted to bring their own staff in and have control over transfer policy (certainly not what their buddy JA would want). So names that should have been interviewed...Sheare
r, McCarthy, Holloway et al didn't stand a chance. Some people ask why Berg would take the job?? Err Hello!! A guaranteed multi million pound contract even if he loses every single game might have something to do with it!!
.
They first went for Hendry's old drinking buddies...Sherwood and McKinlay. They didn't get permission to speak to them so they moved down the list till they found someone desperate enough to agree...up popped Henning Berg...Hendry's, Shebby's & Kentaro's saviour!! They then pushed out the old Maradona chestnut link to create a "problem, reaction, solution" scenario and hey presto!! All their financial problems were solved!!
.
It can be no coincidence that other managers that were wanted (by the fans) have now been approached by other clubs with less of a "self serving greed" agenda going on. Their agents were waiting for the expected call from Ewood that never came - and never was going to come....
.
WHAT A WAY TO TREAT A ONCE PROUD FOOTBALL CLUB AND IT'S FANS!!
7:03pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
7:08pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
7:10pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
7:15pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
7:17pm Fri 2 Nov 12
unclejacklegend says...
7:17pm Fri 2 Nov 12
forever blue and white says...
I have been posting comments on here for a long time now. There are plenty of people can back that up that post on here. Some I agree with and some I havent but at least it has been intelligent conversation
You my Burnley friend are just a numpty.
As I said please just do one as you are BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
7:18pm Fri 2 Nov 12
RUinsane says...
7:20pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
7:23pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Captain Dreckley says...
7:23pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
7:35pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
7:40pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
7:47pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
7:48pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
7:51pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
7:58pm Fri 2 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
8:21pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Rovers75 says...
I agree with you that it was all done very oddly and raises obvious questions.
I personally think the majority of potential managers simply wouldn't work under their awful ownership and had John Williams et al been pulling the strings, we would've clearly had all this sorted quickly, discreetly and with absolute professionalism (although big Sam would never have been sacked in the first place!)
The problem is, what the can anyone do? If all these conspiracies are true and that it's just jobs for the boys, what the f00k can we do?
Things might just turn out to be quite a bit better than we think and surely can only improve on the absolute carnage Kean caused.
I will back Berg 100% and meantime hope some billionaire oil baron Rovers fan wants us to re-live the dream!
8:50pm Fri 2 Nov 12
RUinsane says...
Its a good job smell the coffee is an under cover Men in Black agent so he can save us all foil this devilish plot.
8:59pm Fri 2 Nov 12
forever blue and white says...
9:49pm Fri 2 Nov 12
baldie says...
9:55pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Sherwoodforest says...
Didnt agree with your choice for next manager McCarthy.....Dont agree with your comments on Hendry either.
However having posted on here for the past 2 years on and off i have always read your comments and in the main agree with you.
Your comments re Shebby are spot on however the rants about multiple accounts from SEM/KENTARO are the ones i find the most interesting
i totally agree that there are pr accounts set up, not only on here but on various other social media platforms.
But my view is that you need to look a little closer to home, i have my suspicions about who operates the accounts, and i dont think its Kentaro (they maybe did previously) much much closer to home in my opinion
10:00pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Sherwoodforest says...
Be very, very careful what you wish for...
10:03pm Fri 2 Nov 12
Wild Rover says...
Take your bogus Id's of this page once and for all
or suffer the consequences
Have you dusted your skeletons yet?
Cleaned up your hard drive? better stick a magnet on it actually to prevent file recovery on deleted items
Ohh dear
11:29pm Fri 2 Nov 12
RUinsane says...
12:20am Sat 3 Nov 12
RoverInRotterdam says...
12:22am Sat 3 Nov 12
noddymcleod says...
The mangement team is clueless.
As I and others predicted they took the chepo option under orders from Desai, but that said, Berg is promising, he has his head screwed on and it could just be that he remains at Rovers longer than Shabby and Venkys; there's a good thought for the weekend.
12:24am Sat 3 Nov 12
i8dingles says...
Shebby out, shebby out
Venkys out venkys out
12:31am Sat 3 Nov 12
eddie the eagle says...
1:16am Sat 3 Nov 12
RespectTheK-Dog says...
......And it just so happens Berg was about 9th choice
“Credit to Eric Black, he steadied the ship and worked hard in difficult circumstances. It may have taken longer than usual but I don’t think it has been detrimental to the club.”..........
......totally pointless dig at Black as well.
Congrats Shebby.
1:19am Sat 3 Nov 12
RespectTheK-Dog says...
He likes Glasgow kisses
He batters his missus
With Hendry at Ewood
What a shambles this club is
1:21am Sat 3 Nov 12
RespectTheK-Dog says...
"To GAIN relegation"
That's probably how Steve Kean will refer to his tenure in court when his day comes. Exciting times!
3:16am Sat 3 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
3:27am Sat 3 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
3:35am Sat 3 Nov 12
smellthecoffee says...
4:24am Sat 3 Nov 12
Roverthere says...
5:58am Sat 3 Nov 12
MatthewCA says...
hope he can get few more players in Jan window, if he wants to fix some area in the fight.
Good Luck, Thanks to Eric Black to control the games, he just touch the wining combination in last couple of games. Substitution at the correct time win few matches. so get the fit player on the right spot and win todays away match and give FANS happy with Berg appoitment .
My Team for today : Robbo,Martin Ollson,Givit,Dann,Ha
nley,Marcs Ollson,Pedersen,Murp
hy,Kazim,Gomes,Rhode
s.
Sub:Kean,Orr,Henriqe
,Formica,Rosado,Roch
ia,Simon
Good Luck
6:28am Sat 3 Nov 12
whappen says...
I assume you mean hyperbole - in that Singh uses deliberate and obvious exaggeration for effect rather than hyperbola - a conic section formed by a point that moves in a plane so that the difference in its distance from two fixed points in the plane remains constant.
It's a pretty surreal insult if you don't.
And I think he's been spouting it, rather than it growing out of some part of his body.
You may be trying to push your boundaries just a touch too far, my negative old mate. HB has only been in the job a couple of days y'know.
F@cking hyperbola (I like it already).
6:56am Sat 3 Nov 12
whappen says...
And, surprise, surprise, yet more conspiracy theories. "I have my suspicions about who operates the accounts". Here we go, who is it now, the CIA, MI5? Or could it be SEM/Kentaro, the Glasgow mafia, Lord f@cking Voldemort?
Oh yeah, let's set up accounts on the Lancs Telegraph website. Tomorrow we rule the World, hahahahaha.
Don't worry people, 007's on his way; he has an account too, y'know.
Who gives a to$$ who has an account?
Give the man a chance FFS.
8:52am Sat 3 Nov 12
blueblooded says...
Funny that.
9:39am Sat 3 Nov 12
Sherwoodforest says...
10:14am Sat 3 Nov 12
Abraxas says...
10:20am Sat 3 Nov 12
Abraxas says...
10:23am Sat 3 Nov 12
Abraxas says...
10:27am Sat 3 Nov 12
French Rover says...
I am really looking forward to seeing Henning Berg's first match in charge today at Palace. No predictions though I reckon a point would be a great return against a team that is on a 10 match unbeaten run. Need to feed the Rhodes!
Allez les Bleus!
11:44am Sat 3 Nov 12
handyamBRFC says...
Yes lets give Henning Berg our thoughts on the team and players now.
ok
We need to replace some players sooner rather then later
we require young energetic players not old ones...!!
Orr is crap & not good enough for 1st team but okay as squad member
Another player required,,,! ......urgently
Dunn is slow and past it but okay as squad member for time being
Another player required...! A midfield general
Murphy is slow and past it but okay as a squad member
Pederson is getting slower and older by the day, okay in squad
but we do require a fast winger who can deliver crosses
we have BEST who should be okay when hes back but in the meantime maybe we need a big striker to play alongside Rhodes....!
12:04pm Sat 3 Nov 12
stony bloke says...
5:41am Mon 5 Nov 12
whappen says...
5:47am Mon 5 Nov 12
whappen says...
Yours sincerely,
Jeremy Henderson.