Former Cardiff City striker lands big new job with Championship rivals

David Marshall is not the only former Cardiff City man to move upstairs this week. Former Bluebird Rudy Gestede has followed suit by landing the Head of Football role at his former club Blackburn Rovers.

Gestede represented City over three years between 2011 and 2014, making 55 league appearances. He was part of the promotion-winning squad under Malky Mackay and less memorably – for him – missed a penalty in the League Cup final with Liverpool.

After spells with Blackburn, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and a number of clubs abroad, Gestede hung up his boots in 2022 after spending time with Esteghlal.

Since then, he has been working towards his future, and he has now landed a big job with Blackburn, taking over as Head of Football as the Lancashire club look to improve their fortunes on the back of a disappointing season of last that saw them narrowly dodge relegation.

What Gestede has said about his new role

“We need the fans, we need them to turn up for games and we need them to understand the plan of the club. Where we are going and why we’re going this way,” the former City striker told RoversTV.

“We need their support when there is change at the club. You’re not a fan for one day or one season, you have to be a fan for 10, 20, 30 years. It’s a long-term support that we need from the fans. I’m pleased we have this but we want more at the stadium on a Saturday. We want to excite the fans more on the pitch and get more fans on the stadium.

“I think communication is key, they have to know what’s going on to a certain extent obviously. If you want them to feel part of the club then you need to make them feel like they know what’s happening in the club. I’m pleased we’re doing this already. Steve Waggott is doing his best to ensure the fans know what’s happening in the club. I think Steve is working to make sure we are improved on everything and we’re all aligned in the same direction.”

Gestede added: “It’s always easier to get into a club when you know the environment,” he explained. During the last six months, I have observed every department at Ewood Park, the STC and The Academy. I had time to meet with everyone in the club. I’m excited now to be part of it and have some kind of input to try and move forward.

“You have assumptions when you’re outside of the club and you think you know what’s happening inside but it’s always different. It was very important for me to be inside the club, speak to people and understand why we’re in this situation and where the club wants to be. I’ll be directly reporting to Steve as CEO to ensure we align. I’m not the only person to report to him, there is the Head of Academy (Stuart Jones), Head of Recruitment (John Park), who will be the main man to support at the STC.

“It is a group of leadership to ensure the club is going in the right direction and we can give the team the best support on a Saturday which is the most important thing for us.”

Featured image: Jon Candy // Flickr