Allardyce keeps options open

Former Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has left the door open for a return to management with Championship club Burnley.

Allardyce, 56, has been out of work since his sacking from English Premier League side Blackburn in December.

The managerial positions at second-tier Burnley and Preston North End have since become available following the departures of Brian Laws and Darren Ferguson respectively.

While Allardyce is believed to prefer a return to Premier League management, the former Bolton and Newcastle boss refused to categorically rule out an interest in either position.

“It depends for me on the job that is offered,” Allardyce told the BBC.

“I can only wait and see who makes me an offer. If they have the same ambition to me then I will take up that position.”

“There has been a little bit of speculation, which I am flattered by, that Burnley are interested in me.”

Allardyce acknowledged the right of Blackburn’s owners to remove him as manager, but also sounded a note of caution about the potential for disaster if the club do not avoid relegation.

“It’s entirely their decision, they are the owners, they have paid the money and they are entitled to do what they wish to do with that club,” he said.

“It’s a high-risk business and if you are an investor you really have to start making the right decisions almost immediately. If you fall out of the Premier League the financial implications are disastrous.”