Steve Clarke return plan shared after source's Burnley reveal: 'I've had pleasure of working with him'

Steve Clarke is likely to be back in club management by Christmas amid fresh links over a move to take charge of Burnley.

That is according to former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the 62-year-old is likely to return to a job at the top end of the English Championship.

Football Insider revealed last weekend that Burnley want to interview Clarke about their vacant managerial role, and are keen to hold talks with him.

Wyness believes that the former Scotland and West Brom boss would be a perfect fit for a club looking to re-organise and work their players hard on the training ground.

Burnley are facing a rebuild next season after dropping out of the Premier League in 2025-26, and Clarke is an early contender to take the reins at Turf Moor.

The veteran boss has been away from club football since he left Kilmarnock back in 2019, but could now be on the verge of a swift return.

Keith Wyness: Burnley may have to wait for Steve Clarke appointment

Aston Villa's former chief Wyness - who served as CEO at Villa Park between 2016 and 2018 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs - believes that Clarke will be keen to have a break from football right now.

The Scottish businessman has made it clear that Clarke may not make himself available until the second international break of the season, which is scheduled to take place in November.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness made it clear that specific conditions will need to be met for Clarke to return so soon.

"I've had the pleasure of working with Steve when I was at Aston Villa. I know him reasonably well in terms of the way he operates," he said.

"He was very, very well thought of by the players. He was an excellent coach on the pitch in the training ground, and he has got a lot to offer, a lot of experience. 

"Where I expect to see him pop up again is probably somewhere in the top level of the Championship; that's where I'd expect him to come back. 

"I'd expect him back in the game by Christmas; he'll have had a break. We all know the second international break is when a lot of changes get made at managerial level, and that's what my tip would be right now.

"I think he'd do well with a Championship club and I could see him getting a squad together, bonding them and training them well. He's very strong in that area, and very well thought of in the game."

Scotland slammed for 'harsh' treatment of Clarke

Former Manchester United assistant manager Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that it was "harsh" for the Scottish FA to expect Clarke to step down after the World Cup.

He made it clear that the expectations for the tournament were set too high by many connected to the team, and pointed towards the improvement that Clarke had overseen throughout his tenure.

Brown made it clear that the boss cannot be completely blameless due to the way that he set the team up, but feels that he still had more to give in the role.

Instead, both parties are now on the hunt for their next option, with Clarke's stint ending in quite bitter circumstances.