Rovers will look to appoint a sporting director, as well as a head coach, following the departure of Tony Mowbray.

The two searches are running parallel, but it is that of Mowbray’s replacement which is understood to be the most pressing.

Interest in the job has been strong, with applications from managers all over the world, though no shortlist has yet been drawn up as Rovers take an open mind to their search.

With applications still being taken, and coaches continuing to put their names in the ring, Rovers will take their time to assess the candidates and carry out the necessary due diligence so won’t be rushing into any decision.

Chief executive Steve Waggott is set to lead the groundwork and filter through the candidates, with those referred to the owners before the interview process and then a mandate drawn up.

Rovers are thinking long-term in their search for a boss who can build on the work of Mowbray, with player development set to be key to their decision. 

Venky’s are looking for their eighth manager since taking over the club in November 2010, but only their fourth since the appointment of Gary Bowyer in 2013.

The club are keen to continue with the stability provided by Mowbray's five-year tenure, and not go through a revolving door of managers, with buying into the project of working with and developing young players key to the appointment.

That falls in line with Mowbray’s belief that his successor has to be willing to guide Rovers’ crop of talented youngsters, with the club not wanting to rip up the work that has been done in recent years.

The new manager will be seen as someone willing to give young players opportunities and play a brand of football that would suit.

However, that won’t restrict the search to simply younger managers, with more experienced options who have a mindset to buy into that approach will also be considered.

Applications began filtering into the club from the moment Mowbray made his decision public in the lead up to the Bournemouth defeat last month, though that has intensified on the back of the club confirming his departure on Wednesday.

Bookmakers odds have been changing more rapidly on the back of the club’s confirmation, though it is understood they have little relevance to the ongoing search.

Rovers are too on the hunt for a sporting director, a position that has previously been vacant.

Mowbray was installed as head coach when replacing Owen Coyle in February 2017, though it wasn’t a title he took much notice of. That was changed to manager in the summer of 2017 after signing a new contract with the club after relegation to League One, and the position he had ever since

Paul Senior was serving as Rovers’ head of football operations when Mowbray was appointed, but left immediately after relegation to League One.

A similar approach looks set to be taken this summer, though it appears that it will be the head coach appointment that will be made first.

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