Everton assistant manager Duncan Ferguson is in advanced talks with Blackburn Rovers over becoming their new first-team boss, reports Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Rovers’ manager hunt

After five years in charge at Ewood Park, manager Tony Mowbray left the Championship club upon the expiry of his contract.

Rovers made a strong start to the Championship campaign but ultimately tailed off towards the end of the season, finishing just outside of the play-off spots in eighth place.

The Latest: Ferguson interviewed

According to a report by Football Insider, Ferguson is in advanced talks with the Championship club over becoming their new manager ahead of next season.

Football Insider claim that a recruitment source has informed them that Ferguson has already been interviewed by Blackburn, and that he is now the clear front-runner to take charge at Ewood Park.

Everton are said to have accepted Ferguson's departure.

The Verdict: Big loss

As a player, the Scotsman spent over a decade lining up for the Toffees over two separate stints at the club (via Transfermarkt).

More recently, the 50-year-old has enjoyed two spells as Everton’s interim manager; after Rafael Benitez was sacked in January, Ferguson took over for a couple of weeks before Frank Lampard was permanently appointed.

With such experience in the Everton dressing room and at Finch Farm, Ferguson will be a big loss to the Merseyside club, and Lampard will need to be swift in his search to find a new assistant manager.

In other news: Everton: Dean Jones drops Armando Broja claim