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FLW's fan pundit has his say on the choice between Valerien Ismael and David Wagner.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Blackburn Rovers are closing in on the appointment of Valerien Ismael as the permanent replacement for John Eustace.

Eustace left Ewood Park with Rovers in sixth to join Championship relegation-battlers Derby County and the Lancashire club have turned to a manager with second-tier experience to aid their promotion push.

According to Alan Nixon, Blackburn's search was narrowed down to Ismael and David Wagner but the Frenchman has got the nod and will take charge very soon.

It is thought that his Championship experience and play-off tilt at Barnsley were key factors while he still has work permit from his recent spell at Watford, which is a boost.

Ismael is set to sign a contract for the rest of the current campaign and a further three seasons while he is expected to only bring a few members of backroom staff with him.

Valerien Ismael the preferred option for Blackburn Rovers

Eustace's departure to Derby was one which shocked the EFL, given the clubs' polarising positions in the Championship table.

When there were two names remaining in the new manager search, FLW's Blackburn Rovers fan pundit, Simon Middlehurst, threw his support behind the former Barnsley, West Brom, and Watford boss.

"I think out of the two, I would probably prefer Ismael," Simon told Football League World.

"With Barnsley, he got them into the play-offs, and then West Brom, also very, very similar. The Watford job - I don't think that should be held against him. Everyone gets sacked from Watford.

"David Wagner - I don't think he's been as successful as Ismael. I think Ismael's got a bit more experience in the English game as well.

"He's also worked with a couple of players at Blackburn previously. He obviously worked with Callum Brittain at Barnsley, so out of the two, I'd probably go with Ismael because, on paper, he's a bit more successful."

Valerien Ismael edges David Wagner on Championship stats but has not won promotion

On closer analysis of Ismael and Wagner's Championship pedigree, it is the Frenchman who boasts a stronger statistical record in the second tier.

The 49-year-old has managed Barnsley, West Bromwich Albion, and Watford, achieving a phenomenal play-off finish with the Tykes in 2021.

Ismael has managed 108 Championship games, winning 46, drawing 28, and losing 34, with a points-per-game (PPG) record of 1.52.

As for Wagner, he has managed Huddersfield Town and Norwich City, reaching the Premier League with the Terriers and achieving a play-off finish last season with the Canaries.

Wagner has managed a total of 146 Championship matches, winning 63, drawing 30, and losing 53, with a points-per-game (PPG) record of 1.44.

Both managers have achieved significant feats during their stints at Huddersfield and Barnsley, but Wagner is the only one to have been promoted to the Premier League.

Taking over from Eustace will be no easy task, as Wayne Rooney found out when he replaced the 45-year-old at Birmingham City, with the club being subsequently relegated.