Ex-Man City star Vincent Kompany ‘is a surprise contender to replace Sean Dyche as Burnley boss’

Ex-Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany is a reported shock candidate to replace Sean Dyche as the next permanent manager of Burnley.

The Clarets dispensed with long-serving manager Sean Dyche two weeks ago on Good Friday as they battle to stay in the Premier League, with Under-23s boss Mike Jackson placed in caretaker charge. 

Sportsmail revealed last week Burnley were considering speaking to Anderlecht coach Kompany and Bodo/Glimt’s Kjetil Knutsen, with Wayne Rooney and Chris Wilder other candidates.

Vincent Kompany (L) is a reported shock candidate to replace Sean Dyche (R) as Burnley boss

But The Telegraph claim the 36-year-old former Belgium centre-back is now very much a contender to be named Dyche’s permanent successor at Turf Moor.

Kompany – who won four Premier League titles during his 11-year stay at the Etihad Stadium – is still in his first job in management, having spent less than two years as boss of Belgian side Anderlecht.

He led them to a fourth-place finish in last season’s Jupiler Pro League and to the last four of the Belgian Cup before they were knocked out by Genk.

Their league finish saw them qualify for the Europa Conference League play-offs but they failed to make the group stages of the competition following a 5-4 defeat by Vitesse Arnhem over two legs.

Under-23s boss Mike Jackson (above) has been placed in caretaker charge at Turf Moor

Kompany (centre) won four Premier League titles at Man City and is now a Burnley boss candidate

Anderlecht finished third in the regular season this term, while they suffered heartbreak in the Belgian Cup final by losing to Gent on penalties.

Kompany meanwhile was among the latest additions to the Premier League Hall of Fame earlier this month.

All players in question received a medallion engraved with their name and the year of their induction, with a £10,000 donation made by the Premier League to a charity of their choice. 

Kompany said: ‘I found a home at Manchester City and in the Premier League so I am delighted to be joining the Hall of Fame. 

Kompany and Anderlecht suffered heartbreak in this season’s Belgian Cup final, losing to Gent on penalties

‘I came to love the club and I think the biggest achievement of my career was to be a part of such an incredible journey.’ 

But the Burnley links come amid reports Wayne Rooney is the club’s No 1 target to take over as manager at Turf Moor – and the Derby boss will be tempted even if the Clarets are relegated to the Championship. 

Given a good run of of seven points from three games, Burnley look unlikely to appoint a full-time manager before the end of the season but The Sun reported Manchester United and England legend Rooney tops their list of candidates for the summer. 

Burnley chairman Alan Pace led ALK Capital’s £170m takeover of the club in December 2020

It added that Sunderland’s Alex Neil and ex-Bolton, ex-West Ham and Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce and Wilder are also on the radar of Burnley chairman Alan Pace. 

The American, leading ALK Capital’s £170m takeover in December 2020, made the move 13 days ago to sack Dyche, who was the Premier League’s longest-serving manager having been in charge of the club for 10 years. 

Yet since Jackson became the top-dog in the dugout, Burnley have beaten Southampton and Wolves and drawn away to West Ham. 

They are currently in 17th place with five matches to play, two points ahead of Everton who have a game in hand. 

Burnley are currently in 17th place with five matches to play, two points ahead of Everton