BLACKBURN Rovers have moved closer to appointing a new manager after announcing the interview process has started – as a new name for the post emerges.

Russell Slade, who has been removed from his position as Cardiff City boss, is interested in the vacant Ewood Park hotseat.

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And Rovers have considered the merits of the manager who guided Cardiff to an eighth-placed finish in the Championship this season.

Slade’s side missed out on a place in the play-offs after losing their crucial showdown at top-six rivals Sheffield Wednesday on the penultimate weekend of the campaign.

And, on the eve of their final match of the season, the Welsh club confirmed the 55-year-old would be moved upstairs into a head of football role.

Paul Trollope, who was part of the former Yeovil Town and Leyton Orient boss’s coaching staff, has since been named as Cardiff’s new head coach.

And Slade, who it is understood will have no input into first-team affairs at the Bluebirds from now on, is said to want to make a swift return to frontline management.

Rovers have refused to reveal the identity of the managers they have shortlisted as potential replacements for Paul Lambert.

But it is understood that Neil Redfearn is among the four candidates they will interview.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Asked when Rovers would look to make an appointment, director Mike Cheston said: “As soon as possible. I wish I could tell you exactly when, as a couple of things are outside of our control, but as soon as possible.

“As soon as we can give the fans more information we will do.”

Cheston had initially suggested the club would interview three candidates.

He said: “We’ve extended it to four. We’ve started the interview process with four but if somebody crops up we’ll always be flexible.”

Rovers insisted on Wednesday night they had not made an approach for Neil Warnock after it was confirmed he was leaving Rotherham United.

And when asked yesterday Cheston could not comment on whether the club’s position had changed.

Warnock, who wants to make it a record-breaking eighth promotion next season, remains the bookies’ favourite.

But Rovers have also run the rule over former Rotherham and Leeds United boss Redfearn, Hibs’ Alan Stubbs, Rochdale’s Keith Hill, Hartlepool United’s Craig Hignett, and Wycombe Wanderers’ Gareth Ainsworth since Lambert announced his departure.

Lancashire Telegraph:

But it is understood that Hill, a former Rovers player who has guided Rochdale to two promotions from League Two, has yet to be informed whether he will be granted an interview.

And Stubbs, speaking ahead of his side’s Scottish Cup final against Rangers on Saturday, said: “We are already planning for next season.

“We have already identified players that we would like to bring in and I think that tells you where my mind is and puts an end to questions about me and my future.

“My mind is on one thing and that is Saturday but once that is finished it is on pre-season and trying to take the club up automatically next season.”