Carlo Ancelotti 'phones Blackburn Rovers' to suggest next manager appointment

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly urged Championship side Blackburn Rovers to appoint Duncan Ferguson as their new boss.

Blackburn are without a manager after long-serving boss Tony Mowbray left by mutual consent. Ferguson is the favourite for the job, with Gareth Ainsworth, Damien Johnson, Carlos Carvalhal, Michael Carrick and Roy Keane also in the frame.

Ferguson worked with Ancelotti at Everton during the Italian's 18-month spell in charge at Goodison Park, before he left to re-join Real Madrid last summer. That proved to be a wise decision, as Real won La Liga, the Champions League and the Supercopa de Espana this season.

Ferguson is still at Goodison Park, working under Frank Lampard as a first-team coach. Yet the Scot, who's twice stepped in as Everton's caretaker, could be on the verge of securing his first permanent role in management thanks to Ancelotti.

According to The Sun, Ancelotti called Blackburn to provide a glowing reference of Ferguson. It's believed the Everton legend was not being considered for the Blackburn role until the former AC Milan and Chelsea manager picked up the phone from Madrid.

Ancelotti even reportedly offered Ferguson the chance to join him at Real, yet Ferguson turned the opportunity down to stay at Everton. It's unclear whether Ferguson would even take the Blackburn job if offered, such is his affinity with the Merseyside club.

Blackburn are one of English football's most famous clubs - winning three top-flight titles, six FA Cups, the EFL Cup, Full Members Cup, Community Shield and FA Youth Cup. They famously won the Premier League in 1994-95, pipping Manchester United to the title.

Blackburn have not played in the Premier League since suffering relegation