Blackburn Rovers F.C. were in Division One for the 1999-2000 season, having been relegated from the FA Premier League after seven years. The expected comeback to the top flight did not materialise, in spite of several expensive purchases staying at the club. Brian Kidd was sacked on 3 November 1999 after 11 months in charge, with Rovers 19th in the league despite more than £30 million having been spent on players in that time. Long-serving coach Tony Parkes was placed in temporary charge of the team as the search for a successor began. Former defender Colin Hendry, who had been part of the title winning team in 1995 and who had started his first spell at Ewood Park in the 1980s, was linked with a return to the club as player-manager. Other names linked with the vacancy included Graeme Soun