Paul Lambert: Blackburn boss 'refreshed' for new job

Paul Lambert was a midfielder for St Mirren, Motherwell, Borussia Dortmund, Celtic and Livingston

Paul Lambert says he feels "refreshed" for the challenge of being the new Blackburn Rovers manager.

He replaced Gary Bowyer on Sunday, becoming the Championship club's seventh permanent boss in seven years.

During the nine months since he was dismissed by Aston Villa, Lambert visited clubs including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

"It's been great because all the managers have been excellent," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I've seen different things that we might implement here - I took a lot away from it myself and for my own sanity it was good."

Lambert, who left Villa Park in February, takes over a side that has two wins in 10 league games and lie 16th in the Championship.

"I've been off nine months or so which has been probably the best thing to happen to me," the Scot added.

"I feel better within myself and refreshed. We've got a really good coaching team with us at a really good club that we will do everything we can to make successful."

'Gut feeling that it will work'

Having previously managed at Livingston, Wycombe, Colchester and Norwich, Lambert took charge of Villa in June 2012 but finished 15th in his first two full seasons.

He was dismissed after Villa dropped into the Premier League relegation zone and although he has had other offers, he felt the Lancashire side was the right fit for him.

"I was actually getting ready to watch that 'I'm a Celebrity' stuff," joked the former Scotland international.

"I'll need to stop that and watch Blackburn Rovers stuff at the minute so that was my agenda.

"Sometimes as a football person you get a gut feeling that you think can work.

"There is a good squad of players here, some talented footballers, and we have to try and get a bit more out of them."

Embargo lifted 'sooner rather than later'

Derek Shaw (right) has been at Blackburn since June 2012

After four seasons away from the Premier League, Blackburn's net debt rose to £79.8m in January.

Rovers have not been able to buy players since December 2014 after breaching the Football League's financial fair play rules, but managing director Derek Shaw hinted Lambert could soon have funds to spend.

"It's not something I want to go into detail in in public, but our finance director has been working with the Football League people and we hope we can get out of this embargo sooner rather than later," said Shaw.

Lambert added: "A transfer embargo doesn't mean you lose games, if you don't turn up and perform, well, that makes you lose games.

"I know the situation that is happening here, I'm comfortable with it, the owners have been great and the club is working ever so hard behind the scenes to come out, which I'm pretty sure they will."