Johnson joins Rovers first-team coaching staff

Damien Johnson on the touchline during a game between Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers. He is wearing a dark blue Rovers coat with the club badge on itGetty Images

Blackburn Rovers have promoted Damien Johnson to assistant head coach and head of player development.

The 47-year-old former Northern Ireland international had been working as first-team technical coach after moving up from leading the Championship club's under-21 side.

Johnson joined Blackburn as a player from Portadown in 1997, going on to make 81 appearances before signing for Birmingham City in 2002.

He returned to Ewood Park as an academy coach in 2015, twice stepping into the role of interim head coach in 2024 and February this year and was first-team technical coach and head of player development in 2019 during boss Tony Mowbray's first spell in charge.

"Tony's a fantastic guy. I had a really strong relationship with him when he was first here and I've kept in touch with him," Johnson told the Rovers website.

"He's come through his health issues and now he's fighting fit and I'm delighted that he's come back."

Blackburn open the new Championship season at Wolves on Friday, 14 August (20:00 BST)