Souness front-runner for Blackburn job

Former manager Graeme Souness has been installed as the early favourite to take over the coaching vacancy at Blackburn following the dismissal of Paul Ince.

Ince was given the boot on Wednesday after just 17 Premier League matches in charge during which time his under-performing side have slumped into the relegation zone.

Club chairman John Williams has said he is aiming to have a new manager in place in time for Saturday's home match against Stoke.

That suggests he is looking at someone who is currently out of work and can quickly be persuaded to take over at Ewood Park with Souness perfectly placed to fit the bill.

The former Liverpool, Newcastle and Rangers boss guided Blackburn to promotion into the Premier League in 2001 and won their last trophy, the League Cup, the following season.

The Scot has been out of work since he left St James's Park in 2006.

Also in the running for the job is former Bolton and Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce, who is also currently out of work.

Other names being mentioned are former Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley, ex-Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, Chelsea's former manager Avram Grant, and Celtic's Gordon Strachan.

“Appointing a new manager is our total focus,” said Williams.

“We acknowledge that timelines are tight for we are in a very worrying situation concerning our Premier League status.

“We will endeavour to have a new manager in place for Saturday's game but there are no guarantees and we must ensure that we get the right man.

“Our supporters can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to get the team climbing the Premier League table as soon as possible.”

In the interim, assistant manager Ray Mathias, first-team coach Archie Knox and assistant coach Karl Richardson will take care of preparing the players for the crucial game against Stoke.