Rao: Steve Kean is "a brilliant manager"

Blackburn Rovers co-owner Balaji Rao has hailed beleaguered boss Steve Kean as "a brilliant manager".

Kean has been the victim of widespread criticism amongst the club's fans after a poor start to the season. However, Rao insists not only that their campaign will improve but that the club could be competing in Europe within four years' time.

"The team is in the relegation zone right now, but it's going to come up, I am sure of that," Rao said during the team's visit to India.

"We do know that a few people have been generating thousands of mails demanding the ousting of current manager Steve Kean, who is a brilliant manager.

"But we know the team is going in the right direction and we are very positive about the way the team is performing and the way it is going. On the whole, the goal of playing in Europe in the next four to five years is a realistic one,"

Blackburn are currently 19th in the Premier League table, having obtained four points from a possible 21.