MICHAEL Duff believes Burnley are being led by one of the ‘best young managers’ in the country and the retiring defender insists he can’t help but learn from Sean Dyche as he begins a coaching career.

The 38-year-old has hung up his boots after 383 Burnley games, 107 of them under Dyche, to take up a job with the club’s academy.

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Duff was keen to begin his coaching career while Dyche is at the helm and he believes the Clarets are moving forward under their boss, who is now the 11th longest serving manager in the Football League.

When Dyche arrived Duff was already 34, but he revealed that the Clarets chief had still had a huge impact on the way he sees the game.

“Everything’s going in the right direction here, the facilities that are being built here at the minute, it’s a Premier League club and he’s one of the best young managers,” said Duff of his boss.

“He’s already influenced a lot of the way I think and see things going forward. He’s been really good since I’ve come out of the team, we’ve had lots of chats. It’s been going on a long time and the gaffer’s sincere.”

He added: “I don’t feel I’m being given a job just because I’ve done alright for us and they’re looking after me. He knows that I’ve worked a long time to get all my badges to be in this position.

“I’m looking forward to it and I’m excited. All managers affect you but he’s the current one and the most successful that I’ve worked under. He’s been a big influence and been really good and open with me when I’ve had chats. I’ve learned a lot from him.”

Duff said he and Dyche see the game in a similar way and he credits the Turf boss with fostering the togetherness and team spirit that has been a crucial part of the Clarets’ success.

“He’s got old school values with modern methods,” said Duff. “It’s important that you’re respectful and polite but he also has modern methods with his coaching and how he analyses games.

“There’s the psychological aspect of it as well. He encapsulates everything. A lot of how he thinks and the way he sees things is the same that I do.

“He gets that across to the players and they totally buy in to the way he wants to play. It brings a real togetherness which shows because we’ve just won the league.

“It’s been there the whole time, even last year when we were relegated from the Premier League. It was there, we just didn’t have enough quality at the time.”

Dyche signed a new rolling contract with Burnley back in February and Duff insists the former Watford boss committing his future to Turf Moor could be the Clarets’ most important deal this year.

“It’s important” he said. “I think I echo everyone at the club and the town when I say that. He’s just signed a new deal. That’s the most important signing.”