Former Premier League boss Carlos Carvalhal is in line to replace Sean Dyche as Burnley’s next manager with A Bola reporting that Braga have set their sights on ex-Juventus chief Andrea Pirlo.
Last week, the former Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday coach masterminded a 1-0 victory over Porto, bringing an end to a remarkable 58-game unbeaten run in the process.
If the Dragons had not seen their fire extinguished at one of Europe’s most picturesque footballing arenas, Porto would have broken a continental record set by the legendary AC Milan side of the early-1990s.
Such an achievement is unlikely to earn Carvalhal a contract extension, however.
The affable 56-year-old will be a free agent in July, with both he and Braga president Antonio Salvador agreeing that a parting of the ways is the best for all involved.
Carvalhal recently turned down a move to Brazilian giants Flamengo due to personal issues. It is unlikely that he will turn his nose up at Burnley, however, having worked in Britain on a couple of occasions in the very recent past.
“I’ve had offers from England,” Carvalhal told Marca in December. “My intention was to go back there.
“I was very close to Flamengo. I finally decided to stay in Portugal because of the pandemic and because my family asked me not to leave.”
Who will be Burnley’s next manager?
According to A Bola, Burnley see Carvalhal as a potential successor to the legendary Dyche at Turf Moor.
That same publication is now claiming that none other than Pirlo – the 2006 World Cup winner hoping to get back on the managerial horse after an ill-fated and short-lived stint in Turin – is the number one choice to take his seat at Braga’s charming Estadio Municipal.
- How Rangers’ XI could look in 22/23, including 5 new signings
- How West Ham’s XI could look in 22/23 with 4 new signings
Burnley have also been linked with Alex Neil of Sunderland, Anderlecht’s Vincent Kompany and Kjetil Knutsen, the brains behind Bodo/Glimt’s highly-successful operation.
Both Chris Wilder and Wayne Rooney have distanced themselves from moves away from Middlesbrough and Derby County respectively however.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
