Shearer v McClaren for job

4:03am Tuesday 10th June 2008

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ALAN Shearer and Steve McClaren are both on a shortlist for the vacant managerial job at Blackburn Rovers, and the pair are set to battle it out with former Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce for the right to succeed Mark Hughes.

After receiving more than 40 formal applications, Rovers chairman John Williams met his fellow directors yesterday to draw up a shortlist of candidates ahead of an interviewing process that is expected to last for the rest of the week.

Shearer, McClaren and Allardyce are understood to be on the list, along with MK Dons boss Paul Ince and Zenit St Petersburg coach Dick Advocaat.

Williams is hoping to have appointed Blackburn's new manager by "the start of next week at the latest", and it is the possibility of Shearer beginning his managerial career at Ewood Park that is causing most interest in the North-East.

Newcastle's all-time record goalscorer is currently in Austria and Switzerland working as a BBC analyst at the European Championships.

He was mentioned as a possible successor to Hughes as soon as the former Blackburn boss agreed to take over at Manchester City, but was initially believed to be reluctant to give up his current media work for a full-time managerial position.

However, initial talks with Rovers officials have proved fruitful, and sources in Lancashire claim Shearer has given a clear indication of his willingness to take over at Ewood Park.

The former Newcastle striker, who would almost certainly appoint former Hartlepool manager Mike Newell as his number two, topped a recent poll amongst Rovers supporters and would be an extremely popular appointment because of his successful playing career with the club.

Shearer, as short as 2-1 to become Blackburn's next manager with most bookmakers, helped Rovers lift the Premier League title in 1995, and scored 112 goals in his 138 appearances in the North-West.

He was linked with the Newcastle manager's job when Allardyce was sacked in January, and would have accepted it despite initially distancing himself from the mounting speculation.

However, he was not considered for the post after owner Mike Ashley prioritised managerial experience, and instead accepted a full-time position with the BBC.

Ironically, McClaren is also currently employed by the BBC as a radio pundit for Euro 2008, and Blackburn officials are expected to meet both him and Shearer in Austria or Switzerland this week.

McClaren confirmed his candidature at the weekend, claiming: "Of course that (the Blackburn job) would interest me. Unfortunately what happened with England was a huge failure, but I want to get back into management."

Whether that is with Blackburn remains to be seen, but the former Middlesbrough boss has turned down an opportunity to manage Dutch side FC Twente.

McClaren was offered the Twente job last month after receiving a guided tour of the club's stadium but, despite the Eredivisie outfit having qualified for next season's Champions League, the York-born boss has told Dutch officials he would prefer to return to management in the Premier League.

Allardyce is similarly well-thought of within the Ewood Park corridors of power despite his disastrous recent spell in charge of Newcastle.

He cut short a family holiday to return to England when he learned of Hughes' departure, and Williams is expected to interview him within the next 48 hours before flying out to speak to Shearer and McClaren