Blackburn appoint John Jensen as assistant manager

Denmark's Jensen had managed in his home country

Blackburn have appointed former Arsenal and Denmark international midfielder John Jensen as the new assistant manager to boss Steve Kean.

Jensen will initially join the coaching staff until the end of the season.

The 45-year-old, who earned 69 caps and made 130 appearances for the Gunners said: "I think I can bring knowledge and experience to the job.

"I also believe I can help players become better individually and the team to improve as a collective unit."

Jensen has previously been an assistant to former Danish star Michael Laudrup both with the Denmark national team and Spanish side Getafe.

In his playing days he was famous for scoring in Denmark's 1992 European Championship final win over Germany.

He added: "From what I see and hear this looks like a very exciting time for Blackburn Rovers, with the new owners and a new manager."

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Manager Kean, who took over from former boss Sam Allardyce in December, said: "John has a wealth of experience, both here and abroad, and he is very much focused on the development of players.

"His views and philosophies on football dovetail with mine and he has also shown himself to be a very loyal assistant, a massively important factor for me. I am delighted to welcome him aboard."

Although he was jovially mocked by Arsenal fans for his lack of goals, he was a key part of the Gunners side that won the FA Cup and League Cup in his first season at the club in 1992-93 and the European Cup Winners' Cup a year later.

After leaving London Jensen became a player-manager at Danish team Herfolge BK where he led the club to the Danish Superliga title for the first time in their history.

His most recent job before moving to Ewood Park was as manager of Danish side Randers.

Jensen becomes the first appointment at Blackburn since the club was taken over by new owners Venky's in November.

Meanwhile, promising young striker Nick Blackman has signed a new two-and-a-half year deal keeping him at the club until 2013.

The 21-year-old returned to the club this month after a successful loan spell at Motherwell where he scored 10 goals in 18 appearances.