OUTGOING Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Lambert has cast doubt on the possibility of his assistant manager Alan Irvine and first-team coach Rob Kelly replacing him in the Ewood Park hotseat.

Rovers today announced that Lambert has activated an escape clause in the two-and-a-half-year contract he signed on his appointment in November that will see him leave the club at the end of the season.

His number two, former Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday and West Brom boss Irvine, is among the bookies’ favourite to be named as his successor.

But when asked if his replacement might already be at the club, former Aston Villa and Norwich City boss Lambert said: “I don’t think so.

“I’ve had a great time with Alan and Rob. They are great guys and great to work with. I knew Laurence (Batty, goalkeeper coach) from my Norwich days, and Alan and Rob have been brilliant to work with.

“If you’re asking me if I think they’d take it, then I’d say no.”

Irvine and Kelly, who are in their second spells at Rovers, as well as Batty, are set to remain at the club after the season ends as they have no clauses in their contract.

And Lambert added: “We’ll do everything we can to win the next two games and then after Reading that’ll be me.

“We’ve organised pre-season. The club has got a really good pre-season to go to. Alan, Rob and Laurence will no doubt have meetings and speak to everybody.

“I’ve got to thank them as they came with me. I told them my decision a few weeks ago, probably what I was thinking, because this is the situation and they full understand.”