Burnley are still without a manager after parting ways with Scott Parker nearly two months ago, and while a number of managers have been mooted as potential possibilities for the top position at Turf Moor, a new name has emerged as a contender in a recent update.

The Clarets fired Parker with four games remaining in their Premier League season, in which relegation back to the Championship had already been confirmed, but whereas West Ham and Wolves have been able to begin preparations after joining the Lancashire club in English football’s second tier, the manager situation has been a hindrance, and supporters are calling for action in the coming days and weeks.

Burnley are now the only Championship club without a manager in place ahead of the 2026/27 season, with the summer transfer window having opened last week. Steven Gerrard, Derby County manager John Eustace, and Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy have all been linked with the role, and Russell Martin was also rumoured to be interested before joining League One newcomers Leicester City.

Craig Bellamy, on the other side, has emerged as a persistent target following Wales’ failure to qualify for the current World Cup in North America. The Welshman, of course, previously worked as Vincent Kompany’s assistant before taking his first step into senior management with the Dragons, and Burnley have recently made fresh attempts to lure him away from his beloved role in charge of his country in favour of a return to East Lancashire – even if such an operation will prove more difficult than expected.

Should Burnley fail to re-sign Bellamy, they look to have a backup plan in the form of a possible move for another manager who was recently fired by a Championship rival.

Rob Edwards on Burnley manager’s radar

Rob Edwards is the manager in question, with the 43-year-old now out of job following his shocking sacking at Wolves to complete Cesar Peixoto’s appointment less than two weeks ago.

Edwards’ abrupt departure from Molineux sent shockwaves through the game, and while the ex-Luton Town and Middlesbrough manager appeared poised to lead the Old Gold’s promotion push after leaving Teesside last year, his availability has put Burnley on alert for a possible swoop.

According to a new report from TEAMtalk, Edwards’ name is heavily included in negotiations about Monchi, with the well-known Spaniard assisting with the Clarets’ managerial story in addition to his duties as sports director at sister club Espanyol.

According to the update, Edwards is regarded as an appealing candidate due to his experience working with developing squads, having earned numerous accolades for leading Luton to a surprise promotion to the Premier League in 2023, and his reputation as a strong coach being maintained.

Indeed, TEAMtalk adds that many figures in the game see Edwards as unlucky to have lost his job in the West Midlands.

However, it is also believed that no final decision has been made on the former Forest Green Rovers manager, and Bellamy’s name is currently at the top of the wishlist of the club’s main decision-makers.

Burnley will prioritise their pursuit of Bellamy before considering alternative candidates like Edwards or Gerrard. It will be interesting to see how developments unfold and if the Clarets intensify their interest elsewhere.

Burnley should consider appointing Rob Edwards, despite his controversial decision to leave Middlesbrough to return to ex-club Wolves during a promotion season. Despite this, Edwards is a capable and experienced manager.

It’s unclear how Middlesbrough would have fared if Edwards had retained his position, with Kim Hellberg later leading the side to the play-off final against Hull City, but his previous record at Luton is encouraging, as he guided an unfancied outfit all the way to the Premier League against the odds while operating on a limited budget.

That was three years ago, and Edwards has had more difficult times recently, but it’s hard to believe he wouldn’t be able to get a tune out of what remains an extremely gifted Championship squad – one that has every chance of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking under the right leadership.