Sources: Everton coach Duncan Ferguson in advanced talks to be Blackburn Rovers manager
Everton coach Duncan Ferguson is in advanced talks to be the new Blackburn Rovers manager, Football Insider understands.
Rovers are searching for a new manager after Tony Mowbray left Ewood Park following the expiration of his contract.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Ferguson has been interviewed by Blackburn officials and that he is now the clear front-runner to take charge at Ewood Park.
Everton accept they are now likely to lose their club legend and long-serving coach.
Ferguson spent over a decade at Goodison Park as a player over two separate stretches.
He has also had two spells as interim manager, most recently when Rafael Benitez was relieved of his duties in January this year.
The Rovers job would represent a first permanent management role for the former striker.
He has held several positions at senior and academy level, and he is currently assistant manager to Frank Lampard.
The Venky's ownership group elected not to renew Mowbray's contract at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, and he has now left the club.
Mowbray delivered promotion from League One in his first full season in charge of Rovers and leaves them as an established Championship side.
But failure to reach the play-offs last season despite being 3rd in the table at Christmas has prompted a change in direction for the East Lancashire club.
Blackburn are also on the lookout for a director of football to build on the foundations of youth development put in place by Mowbray.