Wayne Rooney is Burnley’s top choice to replace Sean Dyche with Clarets to go for Man Utd icon even if they go down
WAYNE ROONEY is top of the list of candidates to become Burnley boss.
And SunSport understands Roo will be tempted to take the Turf Moor job even if interim chief Mike Jackson fails to keep the Clarets in the Premier League.
Middlesborough’s Chris Wilder, Alex Neil of Sunderland and unemployed Sam Allardyce are also on the radar of chairman Alan Pace after the shock sacking of Sean Dyche.
But the American, who led ALK Capital’s £170million takeover of the club in December 2020, believes Derby gaffer Rooney can add star quality in his bid to rebuild Burnley.
The England and Manchester United legend, 36, has made no secret of his ambitions to manage a Prem club.
He went close to returning to his first love Everton before Frank Lampard was appointed as successor to Rafa Benitez.
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But his ultimate aim is to become boss at Old Trafford.
Rooney took sole control of the Rams in January last year with the club bottom of the Championship.
He pulled off a last-day great escape but following a 21-point deduction this season, could not repeat the feat.
Under-23s boss Jackson has seven points from three games since Dyche was axed 13 days ago.
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And victory over fellow strugglers Watford on Saturday will increase their lead over third-bottom Everton to five points.
Wilder remains the bookies' favourite for the job, with Betfair rating him at 6/4.
Rooney's next on 3/1, ahead of Benitez at 13/2 and Bodo/Glimt chief Kjetil Knutsenchief at 9/1.
More predictable names follow in the shape of Carlos Carvalhal, Allardyce and Nuno Espirito Santo.