BILLY Davies today opened the door on a move to take charge at Blackburn Rovers, writes Tony Dewhurst.

Davies has been out of work since he parted company with Nottingham Forest two years ago, but it is believed that Rovers are one of the clubs actively chasing his signature as they bid to find a replacement for Paul Lambert.

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Davies’ representative Jim Price said: “We have started preliminary discussions with a number of clubs.”

Davies has enjoyed a successful management career and although when pressed he would not be drawn about the vacancy at Ewood Park, he said: “There are many reasons why I’ve stayed out of the game for so long but I’m hungry and ready to get back into football.”

Davies’ managerial record is an impressive one, having guided Derby County to the Premier League in his first season in charge and Preston North End and Nottingham Forest to the Championship play-offs.

He broke long-standing records at those clubs, and statistics also show that teams he managed for a full term never fell below 79 points.

With Davies indicating that he is ready to return to the front line of football management, there has been keen interest from several Championship clubs – including Rovers – and two from the continent.

Davies, who holds the record for manager-of-the-month awards in the Championship, added: “In terms of results and managerial technique I am an untapped English Premier League manager.

“I have no doubts, no doubts about it.”

The 51-year-old added: “When you look at the Championship there’s some huge clubs down there, some who finished languishing in the bottom half of that division, but with the right manager they can challenge for the top flight again.

“All I want people to do is look at the success of each club we’ve been at, look at the results, focus on player relationship, on economics from when we took over to when we left.”

Davies has worked previously with Rovers first-team coach Rob Kelly, during his second spell at Nottingham Forest, and that relationship remains a cordial one.

Davies added: “I’ve more desire and more ambition than I’ve ever had. I’m ready for my next great challenge now.”