Who's next for the Turf hotseat? (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Who's next for the Turf hotseat?

5:00pm Saturday 13th October 2012 in Sport By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

Is a return to Turf Moor on he card for Owen Coyle?

Clarets reporter SUZANNE GELDARD looks at some of the possible contenders to replace Eddie Howe as manager at Turf Moor...

Graham Alexander

Age: 41

Background: Popular with Burnley fans after playing a pivotal role in the Clarets’ promotion campaign in 2008/09. Then a senior player, he has since moved into coaching and is head of youth development at Preston after a spell as caretaker boss with David Unsworth.

Suzanne says: While Alexander has never managed before, the 1,000-game man has his name etched in Burnley folklore. A scholar of the game.

Michael Appleton

Age: 36

Background: A player with Manchester United, Preston and West Brom, he worked as assistant manager to Roberto di Matteo and Roy Hodgson at the Hawthorns. Moved into management with Portsmouth last season but continues to face battles with off-field chaos at Fratton Park. Linked with the vacancy at Bolton.

Suzanne says: Proved he doesn’t need a big budget to get performances from players.

Paul Cook

Age: 45

Background: Played for Burnley between 1999 and 2003 and is now manager of Accrington Stanley. Has guided the Reds to an impressive start to the new season, having previously taken Irish side Sligo Rovers from obscurity to title contention – also lifting the League of Ireland Cup and the FAI Cup on two occasions.

Suzanne says: Has a strong affinity with the club, and several honours on his CV. May not have spent long enough managing in the Football League for the board’s liking.

Owen Coyle

Age: 46

Background: A master of motivation, the Scot has proven he can deliver results quickly, as he did at Burnley, and St Johnstone and Bolton either side of that. He has previous for having problems when form dips though, and there was the controversy over his Turf Moor exit.

Suzanne says: Can the board, or the fans, trust him after what happened last time? Rank outsider after Lee Hoos’ comments.

Billy Davies

Age: 48

Background: The Scot was once the manager of Burnley’s Lancashire rivals Preston, twice taking them to the Championship play-offs. He then got Derby County promoted before leaving with the Rams bottom of the Premier League. His last job was at Nottingham Forest, where he again took them into the play-offs twice but had disputes over transfer dealings.

Suzanne says: A track record of getting teams into the play-offs and promoted, although possibly not in the ‘young manager’ category.

Steve P Davis

Age: 47

Background: Took over from Dario Gradi as Crewe boss last season and oversaw a remarkable rise up the League Two table, ending in promotion through the play-offs. One of two defenders called Steve Davis to play for Burnley, doing so between 1987 and 1991. Has also managed Northwich Victoria and Nantwich.

Suzanne says: Popular as a player at Turf Moor. Has filled the boots of Dario Gradi well.

Steve M Davis

Age: 43

Background: Was part of Burnley’s backroom staff under Steve Cotterill and Owen Coyle before controversially following the latter to Bolton, despite being placed in caretaker charge at Turf Moor. Also had three spells with the Clarets as a player over the course of 14 years.

Suzanne says: A legend as a player but not sure how fans would feel after his status was tarnished by his exit with Coyle.

Keith Hill

Age: 43

Background: The former Blackburn Rovers defender took his first managerial job at Rochdale in 2006. He enjoyed five years at Spotland and, despite working with a tight budget, guided the club out of the fourth tier for the first time in 36 years. He joined Barnsley in 2011.

Suzanne says: This no-frills manager encourages the eye-catching brand of football that Clarets fans enjoy.

Warren Joyce

Age: 47

Background: Currently a respected member of Alex Ferguson’s coaching staff at Manchester United, managing the reserve team since 2010. Joyce played for Burnley betweeen 1993 and 1996 and went on to manage Hull City, keeping them in the Football League, as well as Belgian side Royal Antwerp.

Suzanne says: Probably an outside bet for the job, but will have learned from the master at Old Trafford.

Micky Mellon

Age: 40

Background: Since taking charge of Fleetwood Town in 2008, the former Clarets has taken the Cod Army from the bottom of the Blue Square North into the Football League for the first time in their history. He had previously held a coaching role with Burnley’s Centre of Excellence, and split his time between the two roles, until Fleetwood went full time.

Suzanne says: Knows the club, loves the club – will engineer a great team ethic, with or without a budget.

Mike Phelan

Age: 50

Background: Grew up in Nelson and started his playing career at Burnley before moving on to Norwich and Manchester United. Had spells as assistant to Gary Megson at Norwich, Blackpool and Stockport before returning to United, first with the reserves and now as assistant to Alex Ferguson.

Suzanne says: Linked with a return to the club for the last few vacancies. Could be his best chance to make the break as a number one.

David Unsworth

Age: 38

Background: Had a season with Burnley as a player but turned down a coaching role because he wanted to continue playing, joining Huddersfield. Later did move into coaching with Preston, working as caretaker boss with Graham Alexander, but left following Graham Westley’s arrival.

Suzanne says: Capable of making the transition from coach to manager. Keen to promote youth.

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