FORMER Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy is a shock name on Burnley's short-list.
The Clarets are looking for a replacement for Vincent Kompany after his surprise switch to Bayern Munich.
The Belgian led Burnley to the Championship title during his first campaign in charge but suffered disappointment last term.
They won just five matches in the Premier League and collected just 24 points as they suffered instant relegation.
Despite being unable to beat the drop, German giants Bayern still swooped to bring Kompany to the Bundesliga.
Ferdinand uses Rooney example to defend Ronaldo "disgrace" claims
Now Burnley are hoping to finalise his replacement with the Old Trafford legend looking to be a surprise favourite for the job.
The ex-Dutch international striker, 47,has managerial experience with PSV Eindhoven and is believed to have impressed the Clarets.
Having previously been assistant for the national side, he took charge of PSV in 2022 and won the Dutch Cup and finished second in Eredivisie in his solitary season at the club.
Van Nistelrooy had a 65 per cent win percentage but has been out of work since he quit 12 months citing a lack of support.
United fans still fondly remember the frontman, who fired them to the 2003 title, after he scored 150 goals in 219 games for the club.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
He left in 2006 after a fall-out with Sir Alex Ferguson and went on to play for Real Madrid, Hamburg and Malaga.
Now he could be back in England should he get the nod to lead Burnley’s push for promotion.
Both Frank Lampard, out of work since his caretaker stint at Chelsea a year ago, and West Brom’s Carlos Corberan are now seen as outsiders for the role.
Owner Alan Pace is determined to take his time on a decision.
Lampard responds to growing Everton pressure after miserable defeat to Brighton
And he has put Kompany's number two Craig Bellamy in temporary charge until he makes a permanent decision.
