Burnley FC's manager search: What's actually going on? | OneFootball

Burnley are still searching for a permanent successor to Scott Parker

Burnley are preparing for their return to the Championship after coming 19th in the Premier League table.

The Clarets earned automatic promotion 12 months ago, but were unable to survive in the top flight under Scott Parker.

A 1-0 loss to Manchester City in late April confirmed their place inside the bottom three, and led to the 45-year-old’s dismissal as head coach.

Mike Jackson oversaw the end of the Premier League season, with the team coming just two points clear of Wolves in 20th.

The Lancashire outfit will now be looking to make a permanent appointment, as they draw up their plans for a potentially busy summer ahead.

Here we look at what is actually going on in Burnley’s search for a successor to Parker…

Steven Gerrard’s stance on return to management

Steven Gerrard has previously been linked with the vacancy at Burnley, but nothing has yet come of it as we move into June.

The former Rangers boss has opened up on a possible return to management, claiming that he is quite enjoying the balance that working as a pundit is providing, offering him the chance to spend time with family.

However, he hasn’t ruled out taking on a new coaching role, claiming that it is a maybe on whether he returns to the dugout any time soon.

"Who knows? You never shut a door,” said Gerrard, via TNT.

"I'm enjoying my work-life balance.

"Coaching's tough. It's challenging.

“I've had some really big opportunities and enjoyed a lot of it.

"But, at the moment, family time, TNT, other bits, and travelling.

"[I'm] getting lots of time with my kids, which I missed while I've been coaching.

"At the moment, I'd say 'maybe'.”

Gerrard has been out of work since his exit from Al-Ettifaq in January 2025, and has previously been in charge at Aston Villa and Rangers, winning an SPL title with the latter in 2021.

Craig Bellamy drops hint amid Burnley links

Craig Bellamy was one of the first names linked with the vacancy at Turf Moor once it became clear that Parker was no longer going to be in charge.

It was reported that the Wales boss had been approached as a possible candidate to take over ahead of their return to the Championship.

But the former winger has hinted that his future is with the national team, with Wales getting ready to play the role of host at the 2028 European Championship.

"Being a Welsh manager full stop, it's unique,” said Bellamy, via Sky Sports on X.

“You're part of a few and you know, as Welsh people ourselves, your country is the most important. It always has been, no matter what club I've been at.

"People might say 'you're born in Cardiff.'

“I'm born in Wales, I'm not not born in Cardiff.

“It's always been the most important to me, and I've always looked at it that way.

"So to be the national team manager, and I'm sure plenty of Welsh people and ex-players who have not been in this position would give anything to be in this position, and the ones who have would want to be in it again.

"It's an amazing time and I don't want to wish that away.

"And then, the opportunity of having a home nations tournament, going to the Principality - I can only imagine what the streets will be like going into it - would you want to take it? Exactly!

"To us, I know you're going to ask questions but we know it.

“Hopefully I do a good enough job in these two years so that I'm not sacked and still able to do it!"

Bellamy was in Kompany’s backroom staff when Burnley won the Championship title in 2023, and took on his role as Wales boss for their World Cup qualifying campaign, missing out on a place in the tournament with a play-off defeat.

John Eustace appointment unlikely

It was reported in May that John Eustace is one name on the Clarets’ shortlist of options to take over the first team squad.

However, when asked about a possible move to Turf Moor, FLW’s Burnley fan pundit Josh Lucas claimed that the Derby County boss is unlikely to make that switch.

He believes the 46-year-old is happy at Pride Park, and won’t want to leave the club after they narrowly missed out on a play-off place.

“I think the link to Eustace is a way to get people talking a little bit,” Lucas told Football League World.

“Obviously, we’ve been linked with a couple of different managers now, all different styles.

“I think Eustace is more just a thing of he's done well at Derby, got them near the play-offs, and obviously he probably left Blackburn on bad terms, really.

“It’s a link that they're just going to throw out like ‘Oh if he’s fallen out with Blackburn, he wants to be at Burnley’.

“He probably doesn’t, he’s probably quite happy at Derby, a team he played for.

“I just think it’s, for me, trying to create a stir and get people talking about our new manager, potentially.”

Monchi link could impact head coach search

Famed sporting director Monchi has taken on a new role behind the scenes at Espanyol, who are tied to Burnley through ownership.

It has been reported by the Burnley Express that the Spaniard, who previously worked at Sevilla and Burnley, will have an advisory role with the Clarets as part of his new position.

That means he could have a say in the appointment of a new head coach, with the search for Parker’s successor ongoing.