Wayne Rooney is Burnley’s first choice to replace Sean Dyche with Clarets to fight for the Man Utd legend even if they go down

WAYNE ROONEY is at the top of the list of candidates to become Burnley boss.

And SunSport understands roo will be tempted to take the Turf Moor job even if interim boss Mike Jackson doesn’t stay the clarets in the Premier League.

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Middlesborough’s Chris Wilder, Sunderland’s Alex Neil and unemployed Sam Allardyce are also on the radar of Chairman Alan Pace following the shock sacking of Sean Dyche.

But the American, who led ALK Capital’s £170m takeover of the club in December 2020, believes Derby gaffer Rooney can bring star quality to his bid to rebuild Burnley.

The England and Manchester United Legend, 36, has made no secret of his ambitions to manage a Prem club.

He went close to returning to his first love Everton before Frank Lampard was appointed as successor to Rafa Benitez.

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But his ultimate goal is to be boss at Old Trafford.

Rooney assumed sole control of the Rams in January last year when the championship ended for the club.

He managed a great escape on the final day, but after a 21-point deduction this season, he couldn’t repeat the feat.

Under-23 boss Jackson has seven points from three games since Dyche was ruled out 13 days ago.

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And victory over fellow contenders Watford on Saturday will extend their lead over third from bottom Everton to five points.

Wilder remains the bookies’ favorite for the jobwith Betfair rating him 6/4.

Rooney is next at 3/1, ahead of Benitez at 13/2 and Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsenchief at 9/1.

Other predictable names follow in the form of Carlos Carvalhal, Allardyce and Nuno Espirito Santo.