There are less than two months until the start of the 2026-27 Championship season and Burnley are still waiting to appoint their new manager.
After talks with Wales coach Craig Bellamy broke down, Clarets officials have had to turn their attention to other alternatives.
With the summer transfer window open, Burnley will be keen to make a selection as soon as possible to allow time for the new man to build his squad.
In this article, we look at the main contenders to fill the void left by the departure of Scott Parker.
Steve Cooper
Former Swansea and Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper is the current front-runner to fill the vacant manager’s seat at Turf Moor.
The 46-year-old has been out of work since losing his job at Brondby, with the Danish Superliga team deciding to release him from his contract after losing their Europa Conference League play-off.
Cooper started his managerial career in the youth international ranks, taking charge of both the England U16 and U17 teams.
The Welshman helped the Three Lions win the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2017, before going on to manage Swansea City, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City.
Cooper led Forest to Premier League promotion, via the play-offs in 2022, and Burnley could see him as the man capable of repeating that feat with the Clarets.
Robin van Persie
Dutch legend Robin van Persie has had two previous managerial jobs in his homeland, but is currently out of work.
The ex-Manchester United and Arsenal striker scored 144 Premier League goals and 52 assists as a player.
After being assistant to Dick Advocaat at his former club Feyenoord, Van Persie started his managerial career at Heerenveen.
The 42-year-old won nine out of 26 matches before leaving, then returning to Feyenoord in the top job in February 2025.
Despite finishing third and second in the Eredivisie in his two seasons in charge, Van Persie was dismissed at the end of the 2026-27 season.
Kasper Hjulmand
Dane Kasper Hjulmand is another out-of-work manager being linked with the vacant Turf Moor role and probably the most experienced option.
The 54-year-old started his managerial career back in 2006, when he was appointed as the head coach of Lyngby.
After two years in that position, Hjulmund moved to Nordsjaelland and enjoyed three years in charge, during which time he led them to their first ever Danish championship.
Hjulmund has also had two different spells in Germany, managing Mainz in 2014-15 and then Bayer Leverkusen in 2025-26.
The former Danish defender, who has also been in charge of Denmark for four years, has also been heavily linked with the vacant Scotland job.
Rob Edwards
It was a shock decision when Wolves decided to part company with Rob Edwards and since then, the former Luton boss has been linked with several positions.
Edwards played a key role in helping the Hatters reach the promised land of the Premier League, but was sacked in January 2025.
The 43-year-old had a short stint at Middlesbrough in the Championship, but left to join Wolves, penning a three-year deal with the club he played for.
Most people were expecting Edwards to be given the chance to get Wanderers back to the top flight, but he was sacked in June after just six months at the helm.
