AS predicted first by the Citizen last week, Brian Flynn has ruled himself out of the Burnley manager's job.

He is set to sign a new four-year contract at Wrexham, leaving the field open for Adrian Heath, Mike Walker and others interested in coming to Turf Moor.

The deadline for applications has now passed, and about 20 serious candidates have put their names forward.

However, a decision may take some time, because two of the Burnley directors are out of the country on business. When they return next week, about six or eight interviews will be held.

More names were mentioned in the speculation this week. Steve Coppell, Danny Begara and Graham Barrow are all reported to be interested, and there were even rumours that Manchester United's Brian McClair had his eye on the job.

Former England winger Coppell, formerly manager and now technical director at Crystal Palace, is one of the most respected coaches in the country, and has been talked about as a future England coach.

McClair played in the 6-0 thrashing of Bolton on Sunday, and so would still appear to have a playing future with United.

The bookies' and fans' favourites for the job are Heath, Grimsby's Brian Laws and, despite his comments this week, Flynn.

Burnley's defeat at bottom-of-the-table Hull on Saturday can have done only harm to the prospects of Clive Middlemass, who wants the job but has not applied.

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