Why Burnley must keep eye on incredible Wolves, Kieran Trippier situation | OneFootball

Burnley must be on red-hot alert to Kieran Trippier's fragile situation with Wolverhampton Wanderers

Burnley's third relegation in five years means Championship football is on the horizon once more at Turf Moor, and though the Clarets have yet to appoint a permanent manager since the departure of Scott Parker, they must be on red-hot alert to the crazy situation unfolding at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Indeed, Burnley's relegation back to the Championship is confirmed, though few foresaw any scenarios otherwise.

The Clarets have taken the Championship by storm in each of the last three times they were in the division, winning the league under Sean Dyche in 2016, winning the league with Vincent Kompany on 101 points in 2023, and finishing 2nd on 100 points, conceding just 16 goals across the entire league campaign in 2025 with Scott Parker.

Parker remained in charge of their Premier League return, but following the losses of key players such as James Trafford, CJ Egan-Riley, and Josh Brownhill, Burnley never recovered and have since been relegated with a whimper.

The former England midfielder has since left his position at the helm at Turf Moor as the Clarets continue their hunt for a new permanent head coach, but they should consider beginning their summer transfer business without a figurehead in the dugout if the crazy situation unfolding at Wolverhampton Wanderers presents an opportunity for the Clarets to strike while the iron is hot.

Burnley must consider reuniting with Kieran Trippier this summer following Rob Edwards Wolverhampton Wanderers bombshell

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Alongside Burnley, both Wolves and West Ham United will be heading to the Championship next season, as those three clubs will almost certainly be the three favourites for the second-tier title next campaign.

West Ham await the futures of the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Mateus Fernandes, and Crysencio Summerville, having confirmed Nuno Espirito Santo will remain at the helm following relegation, whilst Wolves' summer has had a more lively start, to say the least.

The Black Country outfit has decided to dismiss Welsh boss Rob Edwards from his post and replace him with Portuguese boss Cesar Peixoto, in a move that not even Edwards, nor Wolves' new signing Kieran Trippier, saw coming.

Trippier, 35, had recently signed a pre-contract agreement with Wolves that is due to begin at the beginning of July following the end of his deal with Newcastle United, with Edwards playing a pivotal role in the 54-capped former England international joining the club alongside the return of Raul Jimenez.

However, following the dismissal of Edwards, Trippier was reportedly among numerous Wolves stars who were upset by the decision, with the veteran defender now considering cancelling his terms at Molineux following the news, such as the crucial role that Edwards played in him joining the club in the first place.

All of this has happened in the span of just a couple of days, and with Trippier's contract with the club not due to begin until the start of next month, he could realistically cancel his agreement if he so wishes, making him a free agent once again.

Should this transpire, Burnley must be among the several clubs that should consider swooping for his signature this summer.

The Englishman has made more appearances for the Clarets than anyone else in his career, with 185 games across all competitions during four years in Lancashire, followed by spells with each of Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid, and, most recently, Newcastle.

Whilst Burnley currently don't have a permanent manager, they must consider making a move for Trippier if he does indeed cancel his contract with Wolves.

Kyle Walker has been persistently linked with a move to Sheffield United, and the Clarets could be keen to get his wages off the books, whilst Connor Roberts has just spent the entire campaign out injured.

There would need to be a lot of hurdles jumped for this deal to come to fruition, no less so Trippier once again becoming a free agent, but with that possibility looking increasingly likely, Burnley must remain on red-hot alert to the situation and swoop in as soon as possible if the Englishman's agreement with Wolves does indeed end.

Burnley must accelerate summer plans as Kieran Trippier's situation presents a potential golden opportunity

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Burnley are seemingly taking their time to pick their next managerial appointment, which, whilst it certainly isn't a bad thing to consider all of your options and ensure you're making the best possible appointment, they must begin to accelerate these plans sooner rather than later.

The transfer window is due to open next Monday, and it looks likely that the Clarets still won't have anyone at the helm to lead them into the summer.

Steven Gerrard has been strongly linked with the position, whilst Wales boss Craig Bellamy has also been touted with a return to Turf Moor, having previously worked as an assistant to Vincent Kompany at the club.

Derby County's John Eustace and Cardiff City's Brian Barry-Murphy have also been linked with the role, but nothing concrete has been confirmed as yet.

Burnley must decide on their next appointment sooner rather than later, but in the meantime, they must keep an eye on Trippier's situation regardless.