Blackburn Rovers have dropped talks with Fulham coach Billy McKinlay over the manager's job.
The Daily Mail says the move backfired over McKinlay's lack of managerial experience and suggestions - denied by sources close to him - that he remains friends with Kean from their time together at Fulham.
"Supporters are not willing to put up with another experiment," said Glenn Mullan, chairman of the Blackburn Rovers Action Group.
"Talk of Billy McKinlay and Tim Sherwood, who are both coaches with no managerial experience, has sent supporters into meltdown."