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Solskjaer in Rovers contention

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has impressed in charge at Molde © Getty Images

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Former Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster has applied for the vacant managerial position at Blackburn, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and former Rovers captain Tim Sherwood are among a host of candidates who are believed to be in line for the job.

High-profile coaches across Europe have let it be known they would be interested in succeeding Steve Kean after the former boss was "forced to resign" last week, with Schuster's name the most illustrious to be linked with the Championship club.

The German boss won the Primera Division title with Real Madrid just four years ago, having also enjoyed a glittering playing career with both Los Blancos and fierce rivals Barcelona.

His most recent position was with Turkish Super Lig outfit Besiktas last year, but a long-standing desire to work in English football is believed to have prompted his application to the Rovers hierarchy.

Former Blackburn skipper Sherwood, who led Kenny Dalglish's charges to Premier League glory in 1995, remains the No. 1 choice of Indian owners Venky's, but all overtures have thus far been rejected by Tottenham, where he is currently working as a coach.

A Blackburn source told ESPN: "There has been interest from managers in Italy, as well as from all over Europe; some of the biggest names imaginable have applied.

"It is also true that Tim Sherwood is wanted by Blackburn, but that Spurs are not willing to let him go without a fight, and Bernt Schuster has let it be known that he wants the job and has applied for it."

Alan Shearer is another former Blackburn icon who would be welcomed back as manager, while ex-England boss Glenn Hoddle would also be in contention if he could be persuaded back into football management. Nottingham Forest tried and failed, but Hoddle might be tempted by the right project.

Former Manchester United strikers Henrik Larsson and Solsjaer and ex-QPR chief Paulo Sousa are also among the candidates.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.