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Blackburn Rovers’ Yasin Ayari has told Fotboll Direkt that he was disappointed with Jon Dahl Tomasson’s decision to leave the Championship side.

The Dane spent more than 18 months before leaving Blackburn Rovers on February 9th, and was then appointed as the new Sweden manager later that month.

In the winter market, Ayari joined Blackburn Rovers on a loan deal from Brighton & Hove Albion, after his temporary stay at Coventry City was cut short.

The 20-year-old has made nine appearances for Blackburn Rovers so far and three of them came under Jon Dahl Tomasson, who convinced him to join the second division club.

“A bit [disappointed] actually. He was the one who wanted me at Blackburn and when I arrived, we had good conversations, and I like the way he plays,” he said.

“I slowly but surely started to get into the team and got chances from the start, but then he left. It was a bit unfortunate in that way, but that’s how it is sometimes.”

Blackburn Rovers have appointed John Eustace as Jon Dahl Tomasson’s successor and the Sweden U21 international has been featuring regularly under the current manager.

The midfielder claims he had to start from scratch and showcase his qualities to Eustace, after the Dane’s departure from Blackburn Rovers.

“… then we had Jon Dahl Tomasson as coach before he went to the national team. It felt good and I had come into the team in a nice way,” Ayari explained.

“But when a new coach comes in, everyone starts from scratch again. I have now played three or four games that have been good and I feel that I have shown that I will play.”

Ayari has already made his debut for Sweden’s senior team in January 2023 but hasn’t been called up since then.

The Brighton owned player has been a regular for Sweden U21 and will be hoping to receive a call up from his former manager in the future.