BLACKBURN Rovers are interested in making Neil Warnock their next manager.

But the club insist it has not made an approach for the former Notts County, Sheffield United and QPR boss.

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Warnock is now a free agent after it was confirmed he will not be staying at Rotherham United.

The 67-year-old led the Millers to Championship safety after his appointment in February.

But yesterday Rotherham released a statement announcing he has opted against extending his short-term contract at the club.

Warnock is one of the managers who has come under consideration from Rovers following the departure of Paul Lambert.

And now the club is free to make an approach for the ex-Scarborough, Crystal Palace and Leeds United boss.

But he is not the only name in the frame for Rovers who have also identified Rochdale’s Keith Hill, Hibs’ Alan Stubbs and Wycombe Wanderers’ Gareth Ainsworth as potential replacements for Lambert.

And Warnock is expected to have a number of suitors in the Championship given what he achieved at Rotherham and given his track record.

The Yorkshireman, who wants to make it a record-breaking eighth promotion next season, took over the Millers when they were third from bottom and three points adrift of safety.

But they eventually finished nine points clear of the relegation places after a remarkable 11-game run which was ended by Rovers’ 1-0 victory at the New York Stadium last month.

Rovers have compiled a shortlist of candidates which has been whittled down with the input of assistant manager Alan Irvine and first-team coach Rob Kelly.

But the final decision will be made by owners Venky’s who must now decide what type of boss they want to take the club forward.

Warnock admits he has already had discussions ‘with two or three others clubs’ after informing Rotherham chairman Tony Stewart of his decision to leave.

“Up until a couple of days ago I thought I was staying,” he said. “I’ve been in talks with two or three others clubs, and Tony knows about that. There will probably be more interest now the Rotherham decision is made.

“Leaving this club is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I love everything about it – the chairman, the people, the fans, the family feel.

“I understand the chairman’s need for a quick decision and the time is right for both parties to go their separate ways. There’ll always be the memory of what we achieved together.

“Had I stayed, I think it would have been for the wrong reasons really. Up until a couple of days ago I thought I was staying.

“Rotherham is a project, and I want only one more year. They need someone to come in for two or three years, build things up bit by bit, consolidate their place in the Championship and then look to go on from there.”

Rovers have stated their desire to retain the services of Irvine and Kelly who, unlike Lambert, did not have a clause in their contracts enabling them to leave at the end of the season.

But if Warnock was to be appointed to the Ewood Park hotseat it is expected he would want to bring assistant manager Kevin Blackwell and first-team coach Ronnie Jepson, who are also leaving the Millers, with him.

Cheston, speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph last week, said: “The ideal scenario is that we want Alan and Rob to stay.

“We’ve made it very clear that we want them to stay, and even more so with the way they have helped us out, but they also know that if a manager comes along and wants to bring his own team in, it may be that they’ll have to move on. They know football more than anybody.

“But the ideal situation is the new manager will be happy to work with Alan and Rob and vice versa.”