BURNLEY FC new manager: latest speculation

In the Aberdeen Press and Journal, St Johnstone defender Michael Duberry insists it is “business as usual” at McDiarmid Park, despite speculation manager Derek McInnes is being headhunted by Burnley. “Everyone here is just getting on with their jobs. We won’t let the speculation distract us,” he said. “Our manager is being linked with interest from other clubs and it must mean he is doing a good job and his team is doing well.”

The Watford Observer reports that Watford manager Malky Mackay claims it would be “disrespectful” to talk about whether he would be interested in the Burnley job. “I don’t think it is respectful for me to comment on other jobs. I am the manager of this club right now,” he is reported as saying and Watford have confirmed the club has yet to receive any approaches for him.

The website Soccerlens reports that Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe would be the best man for the Burnley post, describing him as “the golden boy of English football management” and his achievemnets at Bournemouth as “stunning”. However, it adds there would be a degree of risk as Howe is young and has no Championship experience. “I can’t help feeling a Championship club is eventually going to take Howe on and will be well-rewarded. Burnley also seems the perfect environment for a young manager to develop. It’s a well-run club with a stable finanical situation and reasonable expectations,” it states.

In the Daily Mirror, Sam Allardyce is said to be “ready to talk to Burnley about a managerial comeback” following his holiday in Dubai. “The respected boss is interested in the Burnley challenge and could take the post if he likes what he hears about their plans, and with close friends in the game urging him to return,” the newspaper reports.