Leeds United warned Championship promotion rivals could better Leicester City achievement
Former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has distanced himself from links with the vacant Burnley job - but says the Clarets are in a great position to win promotion back to the Premier League.
The Turf Moor club are set to be one of Leeds United's big rivals in the coming season, with Daniel Farke's men looking to plot a course back to the top-flight after missing out in the Championship play-off final last month. The Clarets, however, are looking for a new manager after Vincent Kompany left to join Bayern Munich.
They are looking to make a quick appointment so their pre-season preparations are not negatively impacted, while Pardew and former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard among those linked with the role. Pardew was coy on those connections, but gave his verdict on the Burnley squad.
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His assessment is something Daniel Farke and Co will no doubt be fully aware of, with newly-relegated Sheffield United and Luton Town also in the mix when it comes to the early promotion odds.
“Well, it obviously isn’t me, otherwise, it would be officially announced," Pardew said of the links wth Burnley. "It’s nice to be linked with them, if nothing else.
"I think the squad is good enough, the ownership is well organised and have got finances to - maybe they’re in a better position than Leicester were last year to rebound. So I think whoever gets the job, it’s going to be a great opportunity. For myself, it’s a great challenge that I would like to do because I’d like to take a team back to the Prem.
“I did it, I set teams up to go back to the Prem - West Ham, Southampton. So yeah, I would be open to it. Whether that’s known and that’s the rumour that’s gone out rather than the actual link, I don’t know.”
As well as Newcastle and Palace, Pardew has also managed Charlton, Reading, West Ham, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion, although has not worked in English football since leaving the Baggies in 2018. He has also had spells abroad in Holland, Bulgaria and Greece.
Leeds will find out their Championship fixture list later this month, with the EFL 2024-25 schedule announced at 9am on Wednesday, June 26.