BLACKBURN Rovers have interviewed Russell Slade about becoming the club’s new manager.

But Rovers owners Venky’s could face competition for Slade should they decide he is the boss they want to succeed Paul Lambert.

Charlton Athletic, who are newly relegated into League One, have also targeted the 55-year-old.

Slade is determined to make a swift return to frontline management after losing his job as Cardiff City boss.

The two-time League One manager of the year led Rovers’ Championship rivals to an eighth-placed finish this season.

But before the campaign was out the Bluebirds confirmed that Slade would be moved to a head of football role.

The former Leyton Orient boss has since been replaced in the Cardiff City Stadium hotseat by his coach Paul Trollope.

Rovers have also interviewed Manchester United Under-21 manager Warren Joyce about the possibility of replacing Lambert.

But it is understood Hibs’ Alan Stubbs, former Leeds United and Rotherham United boss Neil Redfearn, Hartlepool United’s Craig Hignett, Wycombe Wanderers’ Gareth Ainsworth, Rochdale’s Keith Hill, as well as Billy Davies, did not make the interview stage.

Stubbs is now a managerial target for Rotherham and Bolton Wanderers.

Neil Warnock, who is a free agent after leaving Rotherham earlier this month, is a boss who interested Rovers during the shortlisting process.

But it is believed his desire to remain a manager for only one more year could count against him.

The final decision, however, will rest with Rovers’ India-based owners.

Venky’s are now considering the merits of Slade, Joyce and the other candidates the club has interviewed.

It is unclear whether there is still scope for new names to come into the frame. Brian McDermott, a former Championship manager of the year, is now on the market after being sacked by Reading yesterday.

Rovers, meanwhile, have reported that the first week of season ticket sales are up 144 per cent in comparison to last year.

The club said it has sold 250 season tickets in the relocated Family Stand in the Jack Walker Stand lower tier compared to five at this stage 12 months ago.