END-OF-SEASON respite? Don’t be silly, this is Blackburn Rovers we’re talking about.

No sooner had Paul Lambert walked out of Ewood Park for the final time the search for his replacement intensified. And, on that front, progress is being made.

The club were right not to rush headfirst into an appointment within days of the season ending but equally it is getting to the point now when a manager needs to be put in place.

Pre-season may be all but sorted but major decisions have to be made on the squad. As it stands there are only 15 players under contract beyond the summer. That figure includes two goalkeepers, Jason Steele and David Raya, one youngster, in Connor Mahoney, and exactly zero strikers.

Whoever takes over from Lambert will have to get down to work right away.

Lancashire Telegraph:

But, with a shortlist in place and interviews imminent, we are edging closer to getting the answer to one of the two big questions Rovers fans have been asking in a week which, for most clubs, usually ushers in the start of a close-season lull.

However the other big question – will Venky’s listen to Seneca Partners’ joint ownership proposal? – remains unanswered.

Details first emerged about the fresh attempts of Ians Battersby and Currie to get Rovers’ owners to the negotiating table in the form of four brief paragraphs in a national newspaper. So let’s try and put some more meat on the bone.

Through their company Seneca Partners, the local businessmen, and Rovers supporters, have asked Venky’s if they would consider handing over 51 per cent of their shareholding in exchange for a commitment of capital into the club.

A figure of £60m has been bandied about but it is not clear whether that would be used to fund the substantial – albeit improved – losses the club continues to make, or to rebuild Rovers as a business and give the new manager any surplus funds to strengthen a squad which needs strengthening to stand any chance of winning promotion and all the riches that come with it.

And ultimately that is the only way Venky’s have any chance of reclaiming some of their investment.

Seneca Partners’ business is to turnaround companies which have fallen into ill-health but there is no way of knowing exactly what they would be dealing with at Rovers unless the books are opened and meaningful dialogue is granted.

Equally opening the avenues of communication is the only way Venky’s will know truly what the proposal Battersby, Currie and their investors are offering can do for them and the club.

And that’s what it is at this moment in time – a proposal, not a takeover. Takeovers take time and are not played out in public.

But to get to that stage Venky’s have to respond – and that’s the very least they should do.