Burnley are on the lookout for a new manager for the first time in almost a decade following the shock departure of Sean Dyche.
The 50-year-old was dismissed on Friday morning with the Clarets currently 18th in the Premier League, bringing to an end a nine-and-a-half year spell in charge.
Alan Pace, the Burnley chairman, said in a statement that the decision had been made in order to “give the squad the best possible chance of retaining its Premier League status.”
Following last weekend’s disappointing 2-0 defeat against Norwich City, Burnley are four points adrift of safety with eight games remaining, although their upcoming fixtures appear to be more favourable than those of relegation rivals Everton.
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The timing of the announcement caused surprise, coming five days after that loss at Carrow Road and just two ahead of Sunday’s Premier League fixture against West Ham at the London Stadium.
Burnley’s U23 coach Mike Jackson is expected to take interim charge for that game with long-serving club captain Ben Mee providing assistance, before a more permanent successor is found.
In his statement, Pace confirmed that the process of replacing Dyche is already underway.
Here are the main contenders for the post, according to the bookies:
Wayne Rooney
Could another member of England’s so-called golden generation get a Premier League job? Wayne Rooney has emerged as the leading favourite for the job and would join his former Three Lions teammates Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa and Frank Lampard at Everton in the top-flight if he decided to take the post.
Rooney has earned plenty of plaudits for the job he has done at Championship crisis-club Derby County this season. The Rams have battled bravely against relegation to League One despite being hit with a 21-point deduction by the EFL for breaching profit and sustainability rules, although time is running out for Rooney and co to complete mission impossible.
Speaking earlier this week, Rooney admitted that he couldn’t commit to Derby due to the ongoing uncertainty over the club’s future. “I can’t commit myself because I don’t know where the club is [at],” he said.
Burnley’s remaining fixtures
- West Ham (a) – Sat 17 April
- Southampton (h) – Thurs 21 April
- Wolves (h) – Sun 24 April
- Watford (a) – Sat 30 April
- Aston Villa (h) – Sat 7 May
- Spurs (a) – Sun 15 May
- Aston Villa (a) – Thurs 19 May
- Newcastle (h) – Sun 22 May
Chris Wilder
Chris Wilder worked miracles at his hometown club Sheffield United, achieving two promotions in three seasons. Wilder led the club from League One to the Championship in 2017 and then the Championship to the Premier League in 2019.
The Blades secured an impressive ninth-place finish in the top-flight in 2019-20 before a drastic dip in form saw Wilder leave by mutual consent the following campaign, prior to the club’s relegation.
Although his spell at Bramall Lane ended in disappointing fashion, Wilder has since bounced back with Middlesbrough who are in contention to secure a play-off spot following a strong upturn in form since his arrival in November.
Whether Wilder would swap a Championship promotion push for a Premier League relegation battle remains to be seen.
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Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce has been out of work since leaving West Brom at the end of last season after they dropped out of the Premier League.
Prior to that disappointment, Allardyce had never been relegated to the Championship following spells with Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Everton.
Under Dyche, Burnley were renowned for being difficult to beat and for their direct style of play, which are characteristics that have been attributed to Allardyce-managed teams in the past.
Michael Duff
A Burnley legend as a player, Michael Duff represented the Clarets from 2004-2016, working under Dyche and playing alongside Mee in the heart of their defence during the latter seasons of his career.
The former Northern Ireland international made 383 appearances for the Clarets, helping them earn promotion to the Premier League twice.
Duff has since forged a successful career for himself in management, impressing at another former club in Cheltenham Town. The Robins earned promotion to League One last season after being crowned League Two champions.
Next permanent Burnley manager
- Wayne Rooney – 6-4
- Chris Wilder 6-4
- Sam Allardyce – 7-2
- Michael Duff – 8-1
- David Unsworth – 20-1
- Phil Neville 22-1
- Nuno Espirito Santo – 22-1
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 22-1
- Michael Carrick 25-1
- Rafa Benitez – 25-1
- Tony Pulis – 25-1
- Roy Keane – 25-1
- Slavisa Jokanovic – 28-1
Odds via Sky Bet and accurate as of 12.45pm, Friday 15 April
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