Kean has faced calls for his sacking from supporters angered by poor performances all season and their hatred towards him was in clear evidence as Rovers were relegated on Monday.

Yesterday, in a leaked letter obtained by Sporting Intelligence, it emerged deputy chief executive Paul Hunt had written to owners Venky's after a damaging loss to Bolton last December suggesting Kean's tenure be cut short.

Hunt wrote: "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.

"It is a shame and disappointing but we must act now to save the club."

In his 2,500-word letter, Hunt also appealed to the seemingly distant Indian owners to allow officials based at Ewood Park greater authority to make executive decisions.

He also warned about growing financial difficulties and the high probability of relegation from the Barclays Premier League - a fear that came true this week after Rovers were beaten by Wigan.

Hunt detailed a 10-point plan to turn around the direction of the struggling club, which has fallen into decline since the Venky's takeover of November 2010.

It is unknown whether he received a reply but none of his suggestions appear to have been acted upon in the five months since they were written.

Members of the media will doubtless try to ask Kean about the situation as he gives a press conference today to preview this weekend's game at Chelsea.

The Scot has vowed to fight on in an attempt to win promotion back to the top flight despite continuing to suffer torrents of vitriolic abuse.

Kean is also convinced he still has the backing of Venky's and with no figurehead in place at Ewood Park - another of Hunt's points - it does seem at times he has the only open line of communication to the owners.

Former Rovers striker Kevin Gallacher is puzzled by the whole situation.

He said: "They need to get someone into the football club that is there.

"Unfortunately the only person doing that is Steve Kean, the manager, so he is getting battered from pillar to post for basically doing a chairman's role while not getting the results on the pitch.

"Steve has come out and said he will be here next season, but I honestly don't know how that is going to happen.

"I am sure the owners have something to think about now and the next conversation will be a very strange one."