Blackburn Rovers' deputy CEO Paul Hunt wished to remove Steve Kean from his position as manager last December, a leaked letter he sent to the club's owners Venky's has revealed.

Hunt's letter, obtained by Sporting Intelligence, was written after a loss to fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers and detailed the financial predicament the club was in.

He began the 2,500-word document by writing: "I have been your senior officer at the club for six months now and I feel that I must now write to you to ask you to make some significant changes to save the club, perhaps from relegation but also perhaps from administration."

Hunt went on to specify a 10-point plan he felt could change the fortunes of the Lancashire club.

One of the points concerned Kean's position. The Glaswegian has been hugely unpopular among Rovers' fans since being appointed to succeed the sacked Sam Allardyce.

Hunt added: "Publicly I have been asked to support the manager and I always have as I personally like Steve. I have supported him from the start and have been desperate for him to do well. However, I am now of the opinion that it isn't working and he is ready to go.

"He has lost the crowd and as a result of this evening's game has lost the dressing room as well - the players no longer want to play for him."

Rovers were relegated from the Premier League after last night's late loss to Wigan Athletic, who secured their top-flight safety.