PROVEN performers like Sam Allardyce, Brian Flynn and Stan Ternent will top Burnley's wanted list in their quest for a new manager.

And the experienced Wolves duo of Dave Merrington and Colin Lee could also be in the frame after expressing their interest in the post vacated by Chris Waddle.

The Clarets won't go for a rookie boss after the appointment of Waddle led to a relegation struggle this season.

They want somebody who has succeeded at Football League level and Allardyce, Flynn and Ternent all fit the bill.

Former Burnley player Merrington has managerial experience in the top flight with Southampton but also knows what it takes to work with younger players - he was instrumental in bringing through Alan Shearer - and smaller budgets.

Ex-Spurs and Chelsea striker Lee has been number two to Mark McGhee at Reading, Leicester and Wolves and is rated by McGhee as one of the top coaches in the country.

He is keen to land the top job somewhere and could work in tandem with Merrington, currently chief scout at Molineux.

Lee and Merrington, who played over 120 games for the Clarets in the late 1960s and early 70s, would probably be free to leave Wolves. Allardyce, Flynn and Ternent are currently employed and Burnley would have to prise them away with the agreement of their current clubs - with the exception of Ternent who is not under contract at Gigg Lane.

But if any of them are keen to take up the Turf Moor challenge they could possibly instigate a move and Ternent for one is certainly likely to be interested.

Allardyce stressed that he is under contract at Notts County and although the former Blackpool boss said he would be flattered if Burnley showed an interest he insisted: "If Burnley wanted to pursue me they would have to go through my club and the proper channels."

Allardyce guided Blackpool to the Second Division play-offs in 1996 before his shock dismissal.

However, the former Bolton defender has bounced back at Notts County who he joined mid-way through last season.

Allardyce was unable to stop the rot as they went down to the Third Division but this season he led them to promotion as champions in record time, having sealed their return to the Second Division by March.

Former Burnley favourite Flynn is constantly linked with a return as manager and would be a popular choice. The Welshman has done an excellent job at Wrexham who he has turned from a side propping up the Football League to a play-off challenging Second Division outfit on meagre resources.

A return for the 42-year old would depend on whether he is ready for a fresh challenge and he is certain to be under consideration by the board.

Bury boss Ternent is another manager who has worked wonders on a limited budget, dragging Bury from the foot of the Third Division to the First Division.

Despite his contractual situation, Bury would be keen to hang on to the former Hull manager who is currently on a club holiday to Spain.

Shakers' owner Hugh Eaves said: "We would be extremely sad if we lost him and will obviously do what we can to make sure he stays with us.

"If it comes down to money alone then we obviously cannot compete. But money is not the only thing you can offer a manager.

"Life isn't just about the amount of money you get at the end of the week but about job satisfaction and that is one of the reasons why people are delighted to come and work with us. "We have a package and one of the things we are offering in that is that it is a lot more fun to be manager of Bury."

The Burnley board will appoint the successor to Waddle, who left Turf Moor on Monday, unless the protracted takeover is swiftly completed.

And they believe the calibre of the new manager allied to a contract will safeguard his position if and when a new board takes over.

"We are actively engaged in finding a new manager but the important thing is to find the right man," said director Clive Holt.

"Speed is important but not as important as getting the right person."

The future of Waddle's assistant, Glenn Roeder, is still be resolved but he is not a runner in the race to be the Clarets' new boss. And Frank Clark, another possible candidate, has been interviewed for a position with Middlesbrough's new youth academy.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.