Rovers coy on Shearer reports

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Blackburn chairman John Williams has refused to comment on reports he is set to hold talks with Alan Shearer over the vacant manager's job at Ewood Park.

Rovers have been on the lookout for a new boss since Mark Hughes left last week to take charge of Premier League rivals Manchester City.

The likes of Sam Allardyce, Paul Ince and Steve McClaren have been linked with the role but former Blackburn striker Shearer has also emerged as one of the favourites.

Speculation had suggested that Williams was about to fly out to Austria to meet Shearer and discuss his interest.

However, Williams has now told Sky Sports News that more than 40 applications have been submitted.

While Shearer may be on that list, Williams insists that Blackburn will not be rushed into an appointment, although he would like a new boss in place within 10 days.

Good list

He said: "There will be no news today - what is in the public domain is we are having a meeting to consider the candidate list, which is a good list, healthy list, lots of very interesting applicants and we start work today and see where we go.

"It is never good to lose the manager but if there is going to be a time, this is the time as we are between seasons - I would hope that we will have something within a week to ten days."

Asked how crucial it is to make a quick appointment, Williams replied: "Every day is helpful but it is not crucial to the point that you make a mis-judgement or a mis-calculation by rushing. There is absolutely no need for that but every day is important."

He would not be drawn on individual candidates, such as Shearer, and when asked about speculation of a delegation from Blackburn going to the Euros, Williams insisted they were instead focused on holding talks in the North West.

No clues

He said: "No, there is no clues there at all. We will sit down today and study what we have got. As I say, it is a good list and we will try and make the best progress as we can within our own timescales."

Williams added there are more than 40 names on the list.

He said: "I think it is pretty obvious we won't be seriously considering 40 people but we will give every candidate, everybody that has bothered to show interest in the job needs consideration and that's exactly what the start of this process will entail."

He agreed the players would feel more settled as soon as an appointment is made, adding the club has enjoyed continuity and stability.

"We have had one managerial change in eight years, this will be the second one, these things happen - I'm disappointed to lose Mark but we have to turn that into an opportunity. As I say, lots of interesting candidates and it's important that we now, after Graeme (Souness) and Mark, make sure it is three out of three."

He added both managers with proven experience and up-and-coming ones were on the list but he would not be drawn on which type he preferred.