BARRY Kilby insists he will not gamble Burnley's future on a rookie manager.

The Clarets chairman has dropped the first hints yet that he is looking for an experienced man to take over from Stan Ternent at Turf Moor.

Kilby sees the redevelopment of a once formidable youth set-up as key to the club's long-term stability and growth.

And with that commitment firmly in mind, he has ruled out the possibility of another Adrian Heath or Chris Waddle-type manager taking the helm.

Kilby said: "In this position you can shuffle the whole pack around and mix and match.

"Do we want an old head and a young coach in tandem, do we want someone who has made it in the lower divisions and take a gamble, or do we look at their track record?

"There is an absolute host of different things we have had to take into account and a picture is beginning to emerge.

"However we are not likely to go for another Chris Waddle, for example. Someone with no managerial experience would be a real gamble."

Kilby, who has indicated that he wants a new face in place by early June at the absolute latest, already has a profile of the ideal candidate he wants.

He added: "Unfortunately, everyone wants a manager who is going to win something and if you are not careful Alex Ferguson becomes your only possible candidate!

"There are times when you have to shift the emphasis a bit. There is a youth policy at this club and I very much want to centre on that and restore that by promoting young players.

"The new guy has to fit in with that and there are certain profiles you go down for that type of manager."

Kilby's comments are sure to rule out many names hoping to cut their managerial teeth at Turf Moor.

Defender David May, who is currently sweating on a new deal with Burnley, had been touted by some supporters as part of a fledgling managerial partnership.

Former Claret Michael Phelan, now a coach at Manchester United, and Sunderland coach Kevin Ball can also now be ruled out of the race.

Brian Flynn, Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore, former Blackpool manager Steve McMahon, Colin Lee and Steve Cotterill remain the front-runners for the vacancy.