JOHN Jensen is ready to get Blackburn Rovers playing the Arsenal way after insisting the club’s new look management team shared the same footballing philosophies.

The former Gunners midfielder was unveiled as Steve Kean’s assistant manager on Wednesday, to mark his Premier League return after a 15-year absence, and immediately set his sights on making his boss’ Ewood revolution a success.

The 45-year-old admitted he knew little about Kean before being approached by the Rovers manager and SEM agent Jerome Anderson about the job at the end of December.

But, after several days of footballing discussions, Jensen insists he knew it was the right job for him and believes his and Kean’s shared beliefs should make for an exciting future.

He said: “Arsenal’s philosophy is similar to what we are trying here.

"It is going to be hard work for the players because they have to adapt to the style.

“You can’t expect them to change from one day to the other.

"It will take some time and I learnt that when I started as an assistant manager to Michael Laudrup at Brondby.

“They played more directly and when we came in we totally changed it around and it took about three to four months.

"It happened quickly but it can take longer than that.

“It must be exciting for a football player to play that kind of football.

"Of course for a football player in Blackburn, with the new manager and new philosophy I would be happy to play for the club.”

Jensen remains a cult hero among Arsenal fans after a four-year spell in the 1990s and he admits his connections with the North London outfit have continued ever since.

During a coaching career in Denmark and Spain, he has remained close to Arsenal and has even taken the opportunity to learn from “the best”.

“I have learned from Arsene Wenger, Pat Rice and Steve Bould at Arsenal over the last 10 years,” he said.

“I tried to come every year. Most of the time I spoke to Steve Bould and the former Arsenal players.

“They have all been so nice to me and I have learned a lot and will take things with me from there and try to put it to Blackburn.

“It has been like a whirlwind, a tornado. A good start for my New Year.

"Steve Kean and Jerome Anderson phoned me before the New Year and asked me if I was available and if I would be interested.

“After that I came over for about four days and we spoke about football and Blackburn Rovers.

“I think Steve knows me from the old days as a player.

"He has spoken to people who, especially Jerome Anderson, knows what I am standing for and that type was what he was looking for.”

Jensen is no stranger to Ewood Park after an uncomfortable welcome to the Premier League in East Lancashire but admits he was very close to joining the club back in 2008.

The former Danish international revealed he expected to have been named Laudrup’s assistant at Rovers had he been chosen to succeed Mark Hughes over Paul Ince.

“I remember just two games into my Premier League career, Tim Sherwood elbowed me in the nose and I got a bloody nose,” he said.

“It was welcome to English football and I always remember Ewood Park.

“I think if Michael had been picked by Blackburn, I think he would have said yes.

"When he was here and talking to the chairman, he was absolutely happy to come here.

“It was between Paul Ince and Michael Laudrup. They chose Paul Ince but if Michael had got the offer he would have said yes and I could have been here a few years earlier.

“I thought the chance to be an assistant manager in the Premier League was gone.

"I always believed I would come back to English football though – at another level, maybe youth team coach or in a lower league.”

Although initially only here on a six-month contract, Jensen believes he can have a long-term future at Ewood Park as he bids to do everything he can to help Kean establish himself as a Premier League manager.

He said: “A manager has to be able to trust his assistant with everything and I will do anything for Steve Kean.

"He has made the opportunity for me and I will do I can to help him become a great manager.

“First of all the owners want to see how we are working together as a unit.

"I think we have a great chance to be a great pair and hopefully will have a good future together and with Blackburn.”