Rowett On Blackburn Win

All News

Men

Women

Internationals

Interviews & Features

Heritage

Photos

Rowett On Blackburn Win

Gary Rowett felt we finished 25/26 in the right manner following a 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

2026-05-03T09:00+01:00

by Sam Jones

Published

03 May, 2026

Rowett On Blackburn Win

Gary Rowett felt we finished 25/26 in the right manner following a 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Sam Jones

2026-05-03T09:00+01:00

Rowett On Blackburn Win

Gary Rowett felt we finished 25/26 in the right manner following a 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Sam Jones

2026-05-03T09:00+01:00

Rowett On Blackburn Win

Gary Rowett felt we finished 25/26 in the right manner following a 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Sam Jones

2026-05-03T09:00+01:00

Rowett On Blackburn Win

Gary Rowett felt we finished 25/26 in the right manner following a 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Sam Jones

2026-05-03T09:00+01:00

Leicester City defeated Blackburn Rovers 1-0 at Ewood Park on Saturday
The win brought down the curtain on the 25/26 Sky Bet Championship campaign
We’ve been relegated to Sky Bet League One, finishing in 23rd position
Stephy Mavididi’s goal saw the Foxes claim victory in Lancashire on the day

Saturday’s result could not change our 23rd-place finish in the Sky Bet Championship, with relegation already confirmed ahead of kick-off, but Stephy Mavididi’s 78th-minute strike did at least end the season on the positive note of a win.

Reflecting on the game and recent events, City’s Manager spoke of the professionalism of the squad since our fate was sealed, drawing with Millwall prior to success in east Lancashire.

“I thought we actually started quite well in the game,” the 52-year-old analysed. “We were pretty much in control first half, had some good possession, got into some good areas, but perhaps lacked that little bit of incisiveness at the top end of the pitch to finish some of those moves off.

“We did create some good chances and probably should have gone in ahead at half-time. Of course, Blackburn are a very good, strong transition team, full of running and they looked quite dangerous on the break occasionally as well.

“I think they changed at half-time. They went a little bit more high pressing. They got after us a little bit more and caused us some problems. In the second half, it felt like they were probably a little bit the better team. And then we came on stronger at the end when we made changes and substitutions.

“It was nice to get the goal. It was nice for Stephy to get the goal. He's had a tough season, where I don't think he's probably lived up to his own standards, but it was nice for him to finish in a positive way.

“I was quite pleased with the professionalism of the group, in a season where we all feel a little bit like we've let everyone down, at least we've finished it in the right manner when there's been nothing on it. We've finished reasonably strong.

“Shame, we couldn’t win a few more games and took a few more chances earlier on in the season.”

More than 2,000 travelling Foxes could be heard throughout the encounter and Rowett paid tribute to their dedication and commitment, making the journey up in spite of our current position and giving a great backing to the side.

“I think they were amazing,” he said on the Blue Army. “They were in full song all the way through. It'd be very easy for not many to turn up, but it shows their love and passion for the Club.

“I think that, if we make the right steps and if the Club makes the right decisions moving forward, they'll have a really enjoyable season next season, hopefully win plenty of games and be really competitive at the top end of the division.

“Sometimes you need that little bit of a springboard and that little bit momentum. When you get used to winning again, you get that feeling again. That’s certainly something the fans will help hugely with. They are the lifeblood of this Football Club.”

Photo 1/22

Five Academy graduates were in today’s starting XI, while Kevon Gray made his First Team debut off the bench, along with Olabade Aluko and Silko Thomas being introduced during the second half.

“I think it's a glimpse into a good work done in the Academy,” Rowett continued. “We know it anyway, if you think about the players this Club have produced over the years, it’s produced a great number of top-quality players and there's some good ones in there as well.

“Starting with Louis [Page] and Jezza (Jeremy Monga), I don't think it's a type of game you can just go and start with five or six. I think we know the ones that have been working with us, we know the ones that we felt. Young Kirsten [Otchere] today is a little bit unlucky that we had quite a few forwards on the bench, young Silko [Thomas] as well.

“It was nice to get them on. I thought they showed glimpses. I think for those young players, of course, they have to make sure they add some of those other elements to their game to have a real opportunity next season to play a strong part.

“It might be a good thing for some of those young players. The Club might be in League One, but of course, then, maybe they get a little bit more of an opportunity, but you still need the quality and you still need the right desire.

“I was pleased with their performances today. It was nice to be able to get quite a few of them on. Young Kevon [Gray] at the end, I think it's his debut. He headed a couple of balls. He's a big lad, so he certainly doesn't look like his years suggest, but it was nice for them to feel a little connection to the fans also.”

Ricardo Pereira’s final game after eight years with the Football Club, Rowett also expressed just what a servant the Portuguese defender has been during the recent highs and lows.

“A fantastic footballer, we all know that, but he’s just a top-class human being,” he said on Ricardo. “I think that's the biggest compliment I can pay to him and his family and his parents.

“I think everybody loves him. He's got time for everyone. He's got time for every fan. He has such a humility. But of course, he's also a really intelligent, creative, excellent footballer.

“And I think he spoke himself about it. It's been a tough end for him to talk about himself in the circumstances of the season. But I think he certainly should be celebrated.

“I think he will go down as one of those players who contributed a hell of a lot to a very successful Leicester City Football Club. He should be incredibly proud whatever he does next. I'll certainly be looking out for the next stage of his career.”

LATEST HEADLINES

'I Scored & Then Got Sent Off!' - David Lowe's Foxes Memories After making 159 appearances for Ipswich Town, striker David Lowe joined us in July 1992. During four seasons at Filbert Street, he played 108 games for Leicester City.

2 Hours 34 Mins Ago

We Need To Have That Belief, Says Passmoor After getting a goal back to make it 3-1 against Chelsea, Rick Passmoor was pleased with what he saw from his LCFC Women side on Sunday afternoon, and wants to see more across the final two games.

5 Hours 34 Mins Ago

Souttar Called Up For Socceroos Training Camp Harry Souttar has been selected to be part of the Australian Men’s National Team FIFA World Cup warm-up camp in the USA this week.

6 Hours 59 Mins Ago

5000/1 Anniversary Match: Tickets Now On Sale Tickets are now on sale for our 5000/1 Anniversary Match at King Power Stadium on Saturday 30 May (2pm kick-off), which will support local causes through the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation.

7 Hours 34 Mins Ago

LATEST PHOTOS

Blackburn Rovers 0 Leicester City 1

02 May, 2026

City's Blackburn Preprations

30 Apr, 2026

Leicester City 1 Millwall 1 Match imagery from the Foxes' Sky Bet Championship home clash with Millwall.

24 Apr, 2026

Leicester City 2 Hull City 2

21 Apr, 2026