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Rovers to stick with Kean

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed that Steve Kean (L) will remain as the club's manager until the end of the season.

The decision has been made after the former Fulham, Real Sociedad and Coventry assistant boss returned from a meeting with the club's owners, Venky's, in India on Wednesday.

Sam Allardyce and No.2 Neil McDonald were ruthlessly sacked earlier in December and Glasgow-born Kean was promoted from his role as a right-hand man on a temporary basis.

The 43-year-old, who has made no secret of the fact that he would like to become a full-time manager, will now occupy the position until June and he will inherit an expected transfer budget of £5million ahead of the winter window.

A short statement on Rovers' official website read: "Following the departure of Mr Sam Allardyce as football manager of Blackburn Rovers.

football club earlier this month, Mr Steve Kean was appointed as manager.

"Venky's London Limited - Blackburn Rovers - has decided to continue with Mr Steve Kean as manager, until the end of the season, June 2011."

An announcement after the dismissal of Allardyce revealed that Rao family-owned Venky's were in no rush to name a permanent successor and that they would ideally appoint a British manager.

It would therefore appear that Kean, who has only been in charge for the 1-1 Premier League draw with West Ham, has been offered the opportunity to stake his claim for the position.

Reports suggest that Venky's will hand the Scot a £5million transfer budget to bring in four new players in the winter transfer window and they will demand a change in the club's on-field style.

Allardyce, who has accused a member of Blackburn's staff of orchestrating his sacking, was shown the door in view of the 'wider plans and ambitions' and a top-four aim of Venky's following their takeover in November.

One of Kean's priorities will be to ensure that he has the full commitment of the Rovers dressing room, where several players have confessed their surprise at Allardyce's exit and Christopher Samba is even considering his future.