Steve Kean under pressure after release of film where he appears to criticise ex-boss Sam Allardyce

Pressure was continuing to mount on Steve Kean as the Blackburn manager prepared for his latest meeting with the club’s owners.

Kean is expected in India this week to discuss plans with Venky’s after a sorry season in which Rovers were relegated from the Premier League amid huge fan unrest.

A video featuring Kean was made public last night, in which the manager who has been the subject of persistent protests from the Ewood Park stands appears to make critical remarks about predecessor Sam Allardyce. It is understood Allardyce has instructed lawyers to initiate legal proceedings against Kean over some of the content in the four-minute clip.

Kean, unaware he was being filmed, was apparently speaking to fans in a bar during Rovers’ pre-season trip to Hong Kong last summer. The footage was released on the internet by the BRFC Action Group, who have long campaigned for the removal of the unpopular Kean and Pune-based Venky’s.

In the video, in which expletives are used, Kean also appears to predict a top-half finish and success in the Carling Cup. The development comes a week after Kean vowed to fight on following relegation and build a side to challenge for promotion. Yet it then emerged the club’s former deputy chief executive Paul Hunt had written to Venky’s last December suggesting Kean be relieved of his duties.

Kean brushed off that furore but will still travel to India after a petition containing around 4,500 signatures and intended for Venky’s was compiled by fans demanding his dismissal.

The Scot has struggled to convince supporters of his credentials since being promoted from his coaching role to succeed the sacked Allardyce in December 2010. That came a month after Venky’s took over the club. The BRFC Action Group are now planning to meet with Government and the Premier League to air their concerns. Blackburn MP Jack Straw has facilitated a meeting of the fans with sports minister Hugh Robertson next month and the Premier League have agreed in principle to meet them too.

A statement from the group’s committee read: “We as a group of supporters, elected by its members, are disgusted that our club has been allowed to be pillaged with very little resistance from the regulatory bodies who should act in the best interest of the sport and supporters. We are pleased to announce that the Premier League has invited the BRFC Action Group for a full meeting to take place in the next couple of weeks. We are further delighted that the sports minister has also agreed to a similar meeting to discuss the goings on, behind the scenes, at our club.”

The group do not believe the firm are fit to run the club.

Venky’s said last week they had no intention of relinquishing control at Rovers and have never given any indication they would like to replace Kean. Despite that, there is interest in buying the club from elsewhere.

Former Accrington Stanley chairman Ilyas Khan has said he is prepared to front a consortium after holding discussions with local investors and businessmen. Khan said: “I read the statement they [Venky’s] put out last week that the family is in love with the club and want to see it through.

“If that is their intention, there is no time to be spent on this endeavour. If they were to decide that it’s time for them to move on to a different business venture, I think our consortium is the only one that could turn this into a success for the town.”