BURNLEY midfielder Graham Alexander is understood to have been interviewed for the vacant managerial position at Bury - but he still faces serious competition to get the job.

The 39-year-old is open to a move into management and attracted interest from Morecambe earlier this month.

The League Two side eventually opted to appoint Jim Bentley but now Bury have been the latest side to show an interest in the veteran, who recently passed the 1,000-appearance mark as a player.

The Shakers lost manager Alan Knill to Scunthorpe in March and had been close to installing Neil McDonald as boss last week, only for the deal to stall with Sam Allardyce lining up the former Blackburn Rovers assistant as his number two at West Ham United.

Richie Barker took caretaker charge of Bury for the final eight matches of the season and is now regarded as the fans’ choice to take charge after winning his first six games to confirm the club’s promotion to League One.

A lack of managerial experience was said to count against the 35-year-old initially, although he could now be in contention to get the job.

But Alexander is not yet out of the running and it is not impossible that the two could be asked to link up in a new management team at Gigg Lane.

Alexander is understood to have been one of five interviewed for the job and is known to be interested in becoming a player-manager.

The midfielder is keen to continue his playing career but has been taking his coaching badges and is due to complete his UEFA Pro Licence next summer.

Alexander has been player-coach at Burnley for the past 18 months but his coaching duties have been limited as he attempted to focus on playing.

He has also been linked with a switch to Preston and would not be prevented from leaving Turf Moor should he desire, having signed a one-year contract last season with an option for a second season.