Singh sets the agenda at Blackburn Rovers (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Singh sets the agenda at Blackburn Rovers

9:40am Thursday 21st June 2012 in News By Andy Cryer , Blackburn Rovers reporter

Blackburn Rovers new global advisor Shebby Singh has said Steve Kean’s job is safe for now – but has warned everyone at the club ‘action will be taken’ if targets are not met.

Singh, 51, has revealed he will run the club for owners Venky’s from Ewood Park and vowed to win the battle ahead with the fans and other critics.

The former Malaysian international had called for Kean to be sacked in his previous role as a football pundit just a month ago, in Singapore newspaper ‘The New Paper’, but has now said everyone starts with a ‘clean slate’.

He also told the Lancashire Telegraph he was hopeful of signing two players within the next week after insisting transfer funds had been made available to Steve Kean.

The Lancashire Telegraph understand Fulham’s veteran midfielder Danny Murphy is one of those targets, with an offer now believed to have been made to him and Kean due to meet him imminently.

Singh also assured supporters there were “zero” financial problems at the club with all debts cleared by his bosses.

Singh’s column in May has raised questions among Rovers fans after he said “looking from a football pundit’s point of view, Steve Kean is obviously not the man to lead Blackburn Rovers back to the Premiership.”

But now, Singh is ready to give Kean a chance.

He said: “What happened is over and at this moment in time, Steve is the manager. He will start pre season training.

“As with everyone else involved at the club there will be ‘keeping eyes’ put into place and everyone will have to meet set targets.

“It is the collective. We can take the short cut and say it is an individual failure but the way I and the Venky’s look at things is saying it is a collective failure.

“It is a clean slate for everyone. In my capacity as a football pundit I said that about Steve, that was my job, now as a global advisor I have different responsibilities.

“My job as a football pundit was to be critical. Now my job is to be constructive. It is essential Blackburn Rovers get back into the Premier League but I won’t set a timeline. That will put pressure on.”

Singh has described himself as “the eyes and ears” for Venky’s and insists he has the jurisdiction to make big decisions - something that has been lacking at the club in the past.

Colin Hendry is also still expected to join the backroom staff, although he awaits a formal offer, and former Liverpool, Leeds and Leicester man Ian Silvester has been confirmed as club secretary.

Singh said: “For me it is the biggest challenge of my life. There is a lot we need to prove. It is very important for us to regroup. Not just the club but the fans.

“From the outside looking in you could feel the emotions of the fans last season. That is not a good thing and is a battle that will a long time to win.

“I can say the club has got absolutely zero financial problems. Whatever was inherited has been cleared.There is no debt.

“Transfer funds are available and within the next one week we will have at least two signings. We are very advanced in our negotiations and talks.”