MONEY could prove a stumbling block if Burnley decide to go all out for Chris Waddle as the next Turf Moor manager.

For it's only a matter of months since the former England star turned down the offer of the manager's job at West Bromwich Albion after lengthy negotiations.

And a Midlands source said today: "Albion were very disappointed at the time, because they thought they had got their man.

"But the problems seemed to centre on money, not his personal terms but the amount that would be available to bring in new players."

Burnley will surely make a transfer fund available when they finally secure their man.

They have only made one summer signing so far and Marco Gentile came in from Holland on a free.

But, given the club's circumstances, it might not be anything like enough to match the sort of amounts that a new boss like Waddle would want.

Waddle, released by Sunderland at the end of last season, believes there is still plenty of football left in him and he is also desperate to step onto the managerial ladder.

So wherever he goes, the club will get a class player as well as a manager.

He has also intimated that he has his own backroom team in mind when he finally lands a managerial post.

That is likely to include Glenn Roeder, once Paul Gascoigne's minder, and Frank Barlow. He is reputed to know and rate both men highly.

The chances of Sheffield United taking Waddle seem to have been receding fast but Hull City are expected to be strong contenders following the takeover at Boothferry Park.

No details have yet been forthcoming as to exactly how much money will be poured into the Third Division club.

Since Adrian Heath's departure from Burnley was confirmed just over a week ago, there have been suggestions in some quarters that it might pave the way for Steve Thompson to return to Turf Moor in some capacity - maybe as a player-coach.

Thompson has many supporters at the club and it came as something of a shock when he was given a free transfer at the end of last season.

It is understood that he and Heath didn't see eye to eye over a number of things.

One or two clubs are thought to have expressed an interest in the player, who cost Burnley £200,000 from Leicester in February 1995, this summer.

But, so far, he has not committed himself to anyone and if there was a chance of a Turf Moor return under new management that would no doubt appeal to the midfielder.

But, of course, it will depend entirely on who eventually takes over.

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