Burnley

Burnley 'eyeing Champions League coach as Vincent Kompany replacement'

By Carter White | 28 May 2024

Burnley 'eyeing Champions League coach as Kompany replacement'

Burnley are reportedly targeting a move for former Youngs Boys head coach Raphael Wicky, with Vincent Kompany's switch to Bayern Munich imminent.

Burnley are reportedly interested in making a Champions League coach from this season their new manager.

Since the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign, it has emerged that the Clarets will be looking for new leadership for the next term, which commences in the middle of August.

Despite a struggling season in the Premier League, Burnley's Vincent Kompany is set to secure a managerial move to one of Europe's biggest sides.

There is an understanding that the former Manchester City defender will make the high-profile switch to Bayern Munich, who are recovering after a poor campaign.

For the first time in 12 years, the Bavarian giants relinquished control of the Bundesliga crown, finishing third behind unbeaten champions Bayer Leverkusen and second-placed Stuttgart.

Young Boys coach Raphael Wicky reacts on February 22, 2024 © Reuters

Burnley add Champions League coach to managerial shortlist?

According to HITC, Burnley have added an unfamiliar name - at least to those following English football - to the list of candidates who could replace Kompany in Lancashire.

The report claims that the Clarets are eyeing a move for former Switzerland international Raphael Wicky, who is now emerging as an interesting character in the world of football management.

Wasting no time in identifying and recruiting Kompany's replacement, it is understood that Burnley chairman Alan Pace could take an analytical approach to securing his club's next manager.

As well as Wicky, two well-known names are being linked with the soon-to-be-vacant position at Turf Moor: Chelsea legend Frank Lampard and ex-Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper.

It is believed that the Clarets could favour a candidate who has a promotion to the Premier League on their CV, something that Cooper achieved at the Tricky Trees during the 2021-22 term.

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper before the match on November 5, 2023 © Reuters

Strange sacking and beating Guardiola

Although the name Raphael Wicky will not roll off the tongue for most Burnley supporters at the moment, the Swiss manager has caught the eye during the blossoming stages of his coaching career.

During his spell at Swiss giants Basel, the 47-year-old won the Super League while also managing to beat Jose Mourinho's Manchester United and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the Champions League.

Wicky has been out of employment since March this year after being sacked, despite former side Young Boys sitting pretty at the top of Switzerland's first division at the time.

Rather strangely, the club's sporting director Christoph Spycher stated that the squad needed "fresh energy" following a dip in performances and three straight defeats.