All change as Moore's hopes fade

Last updated : 29 May 2004 By Tony Scholes

Phil Brown - could now be the favourite
Moore was interviewed twice by the Clarets and after talks in the Channel Islands regarding the proposed take over at Rotherham he looked all set to accept the job at Burnley if offered.

And it looked almost certain for some time that it would be offered but as we reach the final straight Moore looks to have lost the lead on the last bend and is not believed might not be one of the two remaining candidates.

The talk within the town this morning is very much suggesting that is the case and also suggesting that the job is set to be offered to someone whose managerial experience adds up to just five games, Bolton Wanderers number two Phil Brown.

Brown’s name was mentioned a couple of weeks ago but he appeared to be out of the equation when Chairman Barry Kilby claimed he was looking for someone with experience. Brown certainly fits the bill in terms of coaching but not as a manager.

He has worked as number two at the Reebok for the last two managers Colin Todd and Sam Allardyce and was also Allardyce’s right hand man at Blackpool in the mid 90s. He has made no secret of the fact that he wants to take a step up, Burnley would obviously be ideal for him and it is now beginning to look as though he might be ideal for Burnley.

Ronnie Moore has heard nothing in the last few days, he was last interviewed over a week ago, and that suggests he hasn’t made the last two. If that is the case and if Brown, as is believed, is there then who is alongside him?

It’s neither Brian Flynn nor Steve McMahon. Although both have been in discussions with the club, both have missed out. Neither will it be Eric Black although despite suggestions elsewhere the club did have talks with him regarding the vacancy.

That all suggests there could still be a Cheltenham link, and either current manager John Ward or former boss Steve Cotterill. Or it could be a complete surprise with former Hearts striker and current Inverness Calidonian Thistle manager John Robertson not having been discarded.

Whatever the result of it all the intriguing search for a successor to Stan is all but at an end and within the next three to four days we should all know just who it is.