Blackburn Rovers appoint Paul Lambert as manager

Paul Lambert has been appointed as the new manager of Blackburn Rovers with Alan Irvine as his assistant.

Lambert takes charge at Ewood Park following the sacking of Gary Bowyer earlier this week with Rovers in 16th place in the Sky Bet Championship, 11 points adrift of the play-off places and just four clear of the relegation zone.

The 46-year-old returns to his first official role in football since being sacked by Aston Villa in February.

The Scot has significant Championship experience, having guided Norwich to promotion to the Premier League in the 2010/11 season. 

Former West Brom manager Irvine, an ex-Rovers player and youth-team coach, has been appointed as Lambert's number two, while Rovers' former head of youth coaching Rob Kelly and goalkeeping coach Laurence Batty also join as part of the club's backroom staff.

"I would like to thank the owners and board of directors for giving me the opportunity to manage such a fantastic club," said Lambert, in a statement released on the club's website.

"Blackburn Rovers is a club with superb support and fine traditions, being a founding member of both the Football League and the Premier League.

"After a short period out of the game, I feel refreshed and I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"I bring with me a very trusted backroom team that I believe is equipped to help me create an exciting era for the club and I hope to deliver a brand of football that will both entertain the supporters and bring success."

Blackburn's owners added: "We are extremely happy to have secured a manager with the experience that Paul brings.

"We are confident that he is the right man to achieve the ambitions we have for the club."

Lambert's first game as manager will be a Lancashire derby away at Preston on Saturday November 21.