Widespread reports suggest Vincent Kompany will be named Burnley's next manager. Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton had been the bookmakers' favourite for the role, but he ruled himself out last week.
Manchester City legend Kompany has left his post at Belgian club Anderlecht and is in line to take over at Turf Moor from caretaker boss Mike Jackson, who fell short of leading the Clarets to Premier League safety after the sacking of Sean Dyche.
Barton, a stalwart of Burnley's promotion to the top flight in 2015, was odds-on favourite be the next man in the dugout after winning promotion from League Two with Bristol Rovers this season. But the 39-year-old, whose current contract at Rovers ends in June 2023, insisted he is in it for the long haul when asked recently about his future.
"I’ve loved every minute of it," Barton told BBC Radio Bristol last week. "Everybody texts you when the betting market changes, but I’m very lucky to have an owner who has given me incredible support. I will forever be grateful for the support he has given me.
"He’s somebody who has got enormous ambition for the club and we’ve lived in the city now for the best part of 15 or 16 months. We have felt the energy off the fanbase and I don’t want to be anywhere else.
"I’m still learning. I’m four years in now but that’s my first promotion as a coach. I don’t want to be at the top before I feel I’ve got the skillset to be able to handle it. It’s incredibly difficult up there and I think I’m learning nicely in my job. Hopefully, with Bristol Rovers going forward, we can grow together."
Anderlecht have had a disappointing season, finishing third in the Belgian Pro League, behind Club Brugge and Union Saint Gilloise. Kompany had been in charge for two seasons.
Lancs Live reports talks have taken place between Burnley and Kompany, with the former centre-back said to relish the challenge of trying to lead the Clarets out of the Championship.
Sign up for our newsletter for more exclusive Bristol Rovers content
