Blackburn Rovers have confirmed Paul Butler as their new Under-21 head coach. Butler steps up from the Under-18s, replacing Gregory Vignal.

What happened?

Butler initially joined Rovers as U21s assistant in November 2023 before taking on the top job with the U18s. He oversaw the club's fantastic run in the FA Youth Cup, which saw them beaten in the semi-finals by Manchester City.

Why it matters for Blackburn Rovers

Butler feels this is a natural progression, having already helped many from his previous side reach the next age group. The experienced coach is excited to work with the new manager, Tony Mowbray, who knows the club very well.

What comes next?

Butler's goal is to give more players opportunities with the first team and raise standards even higher than last year. He is confident that the club has professional footballers coming through. | Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | Previous role | Under-18s head coach | | Replacement for | Gregory Vignal | | New manager | Tony Mowbray