The Spoiler assesses the favoured candidates in the race for power at Ewood Park

The Chelsea vacancy has seen the biggest names in football linked with a move to the Premier League, while the Blackburn job has seen some less glamorous hats thrown into the ring. According to their chairman, there have been over 40 applications, although most of them were probably cocky twenty-somethings who fancy themselves on Championship Manager.

After the appointments of Graeme Souness and Mark Hughes proved big successes, the Blackburn board have gained a reputation for making savvy appointments. Surely they’re not going to risk all that on Alan Shearer?

The Blackburn Managerial Candidates

Sam Allardyce - 7/4
The Blackburn board like to emphasise the buzzword ’stability’, and this is something that Allardyce has proven he can deliver at Bolton, where he exceeded this with European qualification and a League Cup Final appearance. His reputation for drab, hoof-it-up football is the main deterrent to appointing him.
Verdict: Appears a perfect match

Alan Shearer - 15/8
Was the star player of the greatest season in Blackburn’s history when they won the Premier League in 1995, and has made it clear he would be interested in becoming a manager. His dream job is clearly Newcastle though and Blackburn may not appreciate being used as a stepping stone once more. Shearer has apparently expressed doubts that Blackburn is the right starting point for him.
Verdict: Would be risky business

Paul Ince -9/2
He engineered a great escape with Macclesfield in his first season as a manager before moving to Franchise FC and winning them the title and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. The only problem is that these achievements occurred with an (immoral, soulless) League Two side - his success may not translate if he mixed it up with the big boys.
Verdict: Safer than Shearer as he’s served his apprenticeship in the lower leagues and succeeded, but still a risk. Plus, Incey insists he’s had no contact from Blackburn so far.

Henning Berg - 7/1
Like Shearer, he was a vital part of Blackburn’s title-winning team in 1995, but has since gained some managerial experience at Lyn Oslo in Norway where they have started the season strongly.
Verdict: Still lacks experience

Steve McClaren - 14/1
The red-faced loon would be an unpopular appointment, but both Graham Taylor and Kevin Keegan have failed with England then returned to the Premier League and achieved relative success.
Verdict: Not as ridiculous as it seems

Michael Laudrup - 25/1
Of all the names mentioned, Laudrup is the only one with experience at the top level whose reputation is unblemished after taking Getafe to the UEFA Cup quarters and the Copa del Rey final.
Verdict: May hold out for a bigger job

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