Blackburn Rovers aim for swift appointment after owners Venky's sack boss Gary Bowyer

Former Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert, who won promotion from the Championship with Norwich City, is the favourite to take over from Bowyer.

Ex-Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes, a friend of Rovers managing director Derek Shaw and who this week lost his job at Real Sociedad, and Slavisa Jokanovic, who is currently in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv after leading Watford to promotion to the Premier League last season, have also been linked with the post.

MORE TOP STORIES:

And it is understood that Rovers legend Tugay would be interested in becoming the 39th permanent manager in the club’s 140-year history.

But it would appear that Venky’s, for the first time in the five years that they have owned Rovers, are looking to appoint an experienced boss.

The new man could even be installed into the Ewood Park hotsteat as early as this weekend.

Venky’s have paved the way for a completely new management team after also dismissing every member of Bowyer’s first-team coaching staff – assistant boss Terry McPhillips, coaches Craig Short and Tony Grant, and goalkeeping coach John Keeley.

The Indian-based owners certainly want someone in place by the time Rovers return to Championship action at Preston North End on Saturday week.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that Venky’s – who have had a senior advisor working out of Ewood for nearly a month – have been sounding out new managers for at least a couple of weeks.

But it is understood the decision to axe Bowyer still came as a surprise to staff.

Head of Academy Eric Kinder and Under-21 assistant coach John Filan will lead training with Damien Johnson, the club’s Under-21 lead coach, away with Northern Ireland Under-21s.

All players who are not away on international duty, both senior and junior, have been told to report to training.

Bowyer steered Rovers to survival in his second stint as caretaker manager before being handed the job on a full-time basis in May 2013.

The 44-year-old, who has been unable to sign players for fees since January after the club was hit with a Financial Fair Play embargo, led Rovers to eighth and ninth-placed finishes in his two full seasons in charge.

He leaves the club in 16th in the Championship after winning only three of their opening 16 league games.

A Rovers statement read: “Blackburn Rovers can confirm that manager Gary Bowyer has left the club.

“The owners felt that following a disappointing start to the season, they have to act in order to give the club the best chance of success in the remainder of the campaign.

“The owners wish to place on record their sincere gratitude for the hard work and determination Gary has given the club, both in his capacity as manager and previously as Under-21 coach and within the Academy, in particular during the difficult period following relegation from the Premier League.

“Rovers’ owners and board of directors will begin the search immediately to appoint a new manager.”