Here is a round-up of Rovers-related stories.

 

MOWBRAY FUTURE IN DOUBT

Tony Mowbray cast doubt over his Sunderland future following their play-off semi-final defeat to Luton Town.

Goals from Gabe Osho and Tom Lockyer saw the Hatters overturn their 2-1 first leg deficit to move into the Wembley final, and one win away from the Premier League.

For Sunderland, it brought to an end a successful first season back in the Championship, having won the League One play-offs 12 months ago.

Mowbray joined as manager last August, three months after his departure from Rovers, replacing Alex Neil who left for Stoke City.

He has won 18 of his 45 games in charge, and helping the Black Cats to a sixth-placed finish.

Mowbray has a year left to run on his contract, but there has been reports the club are looking at Italian coach Francesco Farioli to potentially take over at the Stadium of Light.

The former Rovers boss met with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman to discuss those links, but raised the issue of his future after the defeat at Kenilworth Road.

He said: “I’ve enjoyed it, but who knows what my future holds.

“Let’s wait and see. Do I want to be here next season? I do, yes. But let’s wait and see how it goes, and what the summer brings.

“I don’t know what will happen next. I’ll just get on with it. I’ve got a contract so I’ll just keep going. I only mention that off the speculation off recent weeks. Let’s wait and see.”

Mowbray spent five years in charge of Rovers, leaving in May after his contract wasn’t renewed.

He has one year to run on his Sunderland deal, and added: “Do I feel insecure? Not at all.

“Modern-day football clubs can do what they want. I’m pretty relaxed.

“I feel like I’ve come in here and managed to work with these young players, create a team environment that has done alright despite huge losses of some very important footballers.”

 

ARMA WANTS SAINTS STAY

Adam Armstrong insists he wants to stay at Southampton despite their relegation from the Premier League.

The striker has found it tough to make an impact at St Mary’s, scoring only four times since his move in 2021.

He has clocked up 38 appearances this season, and 66 in all, and says he intends to stay at the club in a bid to win promotion back to the Premier League.

The 26-year-old, who has two years left to run on his contract, says rumours suggesting he wanted to leave last summer weren’t correct  

He told the Daily Echo: “I want to stay, it doesn’t matter what happens to the club. I want to stay and hopefully do well for this club.

“There’s always a lot of rumours and the rumours that have been out about me have been totally false, so I don’t know where that’s come from. That is what it is but I’m looking forward to finishing the season strong.”

 

LAMOUCHI TO LEAVE CARDIFF

Cardiff City have begun their search for a new manager having announced that Sabri Lamouchi will leave at the end of his deal.

Lamouchi guided the Bluebirds to safety, finishing one place and four points above the relegation zone, but won’t see his contract extended by the south Wales club.

Former Nottingham Forest boss Lamouchi was drafted in for the final 18 games after the departure of Mark Hudson who followed on from Steve Morison who oversaw a huge turnover of players last summer.

Cardiff will now begin the search for a fourth manager in the space of a year.

A statement read: “Sabri joined the Bluebirds at the end of January 2023, overseeing 18 fixtures, and winning six matches. Cardiff City would like to thank Sabri for his efforts and contribution in helping us secure our place in the Championship for 2023/24 and wish him all the very best for the future.

“The board of directors at Cardiff City FC have already begun the process of appointing a new management team.”

 

ON AN ARNE

Feyenoord are set to offer a new contract to manager Arne Slot after winning the Eredivisie title.

Reports say a bumper new deal, worth £3m a year, is to be offered to the Dutchman who is on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs would need to pay £6m to get the 44-year-old out of his current contract, but could offer a more lucrative salary should he opt to leave.

Jon Dahl Tomasson had two separate spells with Feyenoord, including finishing his career with the club, and has been reported to be a target of the Eredivisie club should Slot leave.