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The Frenchman has signed a long-term contract with the club until June 2028, having been brought in to replace John Eustace, who left to join Derby County.

Ismael has previously managed Barnsley, West Brom and Watford in the Championship, with the latter being his last managerial role, having been dismissed in March 2024 after a run of one win in 10.

In his sole season in charge of Barnsley, Ismael led the team to the Championship play-offs by finishing fifth, though they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Swansea City.

Blackburn is sixth in the Championship table with 12 games left to play.

"We were hugely impressed with Valerien throughout what was a rigorous recruitment process," Blackburn's chief executive Steve Waggott told the club's website.

"He knows the Championship extremely well and what it takes to finish in the play-offs.

"He has played and managed in some of the biggest environments across Europe and has all the credentials to have a successful spell with us over the coming years."

Ismael will take charge of his first game at the club against Norwich City on Sunday.