West Brom rivals hunt new boss as manager turns down role - as Baggies midfielder plays 45 minutes

Blackburn Rovers are in the market for a new boss after Michael O’Neill turned down the role.

Northern Irishman O’Neill helped guide Rovers to Championship survival, battling Albion in the process as both clubs finished above the dotted line. The experienced boss will instead continue his role with his nation.

O’Neill succeeded former Baggies boss Valerien Ismael in February with the club flailing in the second tier. He was placed in charge of Blackburn until the end of the season while combining the role with his existing position in charge of Northern Ireland.

The 56-year-old oversaw five wins, five draws and five defeats as Rovers finished 20th, one place and one point better off than Albion. The clubs played out a goalless draw at Ewood Park on Easter Monday.

O’Neill had said he would be unable to do both roles on a permanent basis and following discussions has decided to remain in charge of Northern Ireland and will not take up a full-time role in Lancashire.

O’Neill said: "After careful consideration, I have decided that my long-term focus must remain with Northern Ireland and the journey towards the European Championship campaign ahead.”

Northern Ireland did not qualify for the upcoming World Cup this summer, but O’Neill - in his second spell at the helm - will lead his nation into European Championship qualifying.

O’Neill’s Blackburn would have finished one place below the Baggies and one clear of the drop zone were it not for Albion’s two-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability regulations.

A Blackburn statement read: "Following discussions with the club, Michael has decided to continue his long-term commitment to his role as Northern Ireland head coach, with a focus on leading the national team towards qualification for the Uefa European Championships in 2028.”

Current Leicester boss Gary Rowett, who was unable to save the Foxes from relegation, has been enlisted as early favourite with the bookmakers. He is still in charge at the King Power Stadium but the position is uncertain.

Also listed early in the running are former Baggies bosses Tony Mowbray - also an ex-Blackburn chief - and Slaven Bilic.

David Wagner, formerly of Huddersfield, Graham Alexander, Chris Coleman and Will Still are also listed.

Meanwhile, Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby stepped up his post-season international action while on duty with the Republic of Ireland.

Influential Baggies midfielder Molumby played 45 minutes for his nation in a 2-0 warm-up clash win against Real Murcia B.

Molumby and goalkeeper Max O’Leary - who is out of contract at the end of a short-term deal at The Hawthorns - are with Ireland at a Spanish training camp.

Ireland face Caribbean nation Grenada in a friendly in Spain this weekend.