Blackburn Rovers have confirmed Gareth Stewart as their new goalkeeping coach, ending a long spell away from Lancashire to rejoin the club he supported as a boy. The appointment, announced over the weekend, slots Stewart into Tony Mowbray’s reshaped coaching setup as Rovers aim to improve their Championship form after sitting 20th with 52 points from 46 games last season.
What’s the role Stewart is taking on?
Stewart replaces Ben Benson and brings first-team experience from his playing days at Bournemouth, where he made 179 appearances. His return marks a full-circle moment-he grew up in Blackburn, came through the youth ranks at Rovers, and now steps back into the dugout at Brockhall. “Firstly, on a football route, I think it’s the most important thing,” Stewart said. “I’ve been away a long time from the North and from the football club, and it’s the project in front of me, the group here, and where the club want to go.”
Why this hire matters for Blackburn Rovers
Stewart’s arrival adds fresh energy to Rovers’ goalkeeping department, which already includes international goalkeeper Balazs Toth and Championship stalwart Aynsley Pears. Nick Michalski continues to represent England at youth level, giving Stewart a talented trio to mould. “The football felt right, the group of goalkeepers we have here and the group in general,” he added. “They’ve got some really good habits I look for immediately.”
His coaching philosophy leans on technical footwork, a trait he honed under Sean O’Driscoll at Bournemouth. “A lot of people tell me now I was probably a little bit early in the way I played for where football’s gone,” Stewart reflected. That adaptability could prove vital as Rovers chase a top-half finish after shipping 56 goals last season and sitting 43 points behind league leaders Coventry.
What comes next for Rovers?
Stewart’s appointment is the latest piece in Mowbray’s rebuild, with the squad still chasing consistency after a difficult campaign. The new goalkeeping coach will work closely with a trio of keepers already in place, aiming to tighten the defence before the transfer window closes. With league standing at 20th and recent form showing LWDLD, every new addition counts as Rovers push for a late push up the table.
