Jordan Rhodes announces retirement and instantly lands surprise new job at EFL club
Jordan Rhodes has become the new Blackburn Rovers loan manager after announcing his retirement from professional football.
The former Scotland striker played across all of the top five divisions in English football during a career that spanned 18 years.
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Rhodes scored 123 goals in the Championship - only Sheffield United legend Billy Sharp boasts more with 130.
It was announced on Wednesday that the 35-year-old has hung up his boots, with Blackpool being his final permanent club.
However, Rhodes has immediately returned to the EFL landscape as the new loan manager at former club Blackburn from this season.
Rovers say he will work alongside their head of football operations, head of technical development and head of academy.
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Rhodes will be tasked with arranging 'appropriate loan opportunities' in order to aid player development.
In addition, he will oversee their performances and progression, and sustain strong relationships with their loan clubs.
Blackburn's recruitment strategy will be supported by the former forward attending matches and evaluating 'potential player targets.
Rhodes' career across English football
After a stint in the youth set-up at Barnsley, Rhodes joined Ipswich Town and made his senior debut in 2007.
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Loan spells with Oxford United, Rochdale and Brentford would follow before a permanent move to Huddersfield Town.
Rhodes had a stunning three years with the Terriers as he scored 86 goals in 148 appearances across all competitions.
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He was part of the Huddersfield squad that won promotion to the Championship by winning the League One play-offs in 2012.
Blackburn signed him that same year for what was then a club record deal worth £8million.
Another 84 goals would follow in 169 outings, with 82 of his strikes coming in the Championship.
Rhodes then joined Middlesbrough at the beginning of 2016 and was on hand to help guide them to Premier League promotion.
However, he featured just six times for them in the top flight and left midway through the 2016/17 campaign for Sheffield Wednesday.
An initial loan spell turned into a permanent move, and Rhodes hit 20 goals throughout his four-year stay.
During his time at Wednesday, he moved to Norwich City on loan for the 2018/19 campaign and won the Championship title.
Rhodes returned to Huddersfield in 2021 and had another temporary exit, this time with Blackpool two years later.
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Having scored 15 goals for the Seasiders, he joined them permanently on a 12-month contract in June 2024.
Rhodes went on loan to Mansfield Town in February, and his last competitive appearance came in their 3-0 win over Exeter City in May.